Yordano Ventura’s opponents aren’t the only ones who seem fed up with his schtick. The Kansas City Royals are reportedly losing patience, too.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports cited two front office sources who said that the Royals have offered Ventura in trade discussions over the last month, apparently tired of his immaturity and petulance.
Things like Ventura openly chattering in the clubhouse about his intention of hitting Jose Bautista next time the two faced off – a grudge that extends from this event in 2015 – have apparently further disenchanted Kansas City players and executives alike.
Ventura hasn’t been pitching well, as his ERA now stands at 5.32. His WHIP is at 1.530, and he’s struck out just six batters per nine innings next to a walks per nine ratio of 4.8. Teams would have likely taken a chance on the talent, but the fact that he can’t seem to keep his emotions straight on the mound has probably damaged his trade value. The incident with Machado is, after all, the fourth bench-clearing event Ventura has been a central part of in a little over a year, having also challenged Mike Trout, Brett Lawrie, and Adam Eaton. Ventura is, quite simply, dangerous and occasionally unreliably unhinged when on the mound. If the Royals can’t trade him, they would do well to send him to the minors, both to let him improve his pitching and perhaps teach him a lesson about his attitude.
