Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 3, 2008 12:11:09 GMT -5
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Royals Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
At the end of the 2007 season, the Royals had 11 arbitration-eligible players, but that number has dwindled to two.
The Royals avoided arbitration with first baseman-outfielder Ross Gload by signing him to a two-year contract for $3.2 million with a club option of $2.6 million for 2110. Gload earned $625,000 in 2007.
Catcher John Buck, who led the club with 18 home runs, signed for $2.2 million. Buck, the starting catcher for the past 3 1/2 seasons since he was acquired in the Carlos Beltran trade, made $440,000 last year.
Jorge De La Rosa, who was 8-12 with a 5.82 ERA in 2007, signed for $1.025 million after making $417,000 last year. He could also make $25,000 each for 24, 26, 28 and 30 starts in 2008. He made 23 starts and three relief appearances last season.
Utility player Esteban German settled on Jan. 29, accepting a $1 million, one-year deal. German, who hit .262 in 121 games as a utility player last season, filed for $1.2 million, while the club checked in at $837,000. German made $423,000 last year.
The two still eligible for arbitration hearings in February are outfielder Mark Teahen and right-hander Zack Greinke.
Teahen, who made $416,000 in 2007, is seeking $2.9 million, while the club offered $1.9 million. Greinke, who made $407,000 in 2007, asked for $1.8 million, while the club countered with $1.1 million.
Notes, Quotes
• RHP Brett Tomko was signed to a one-year, $3 million contract to be the Royals' fourth starter. Tomko had a miserable 2007 season -- he was 2-11 with a 5.80 earned run average for the Dodgers before they designated him for assignment, then signed with the Padres and went 2-1 with a 4.61 ERA in seven games, including four starts. "We like his veteran presence and feel like that there's more that he can do to improve and be more consistent," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He's always been a very good innings-eater, somebody who has always taken the ball. He's been injury free. He's a tremendous worker.
"The other part of that is if he doesn't win a spot or at some point in time we feel like we've got other alternatives in the rotation that can help us, he's that power arm from the right side out of the bullpen that can be very dominant. He's proven he can do that. Last year in 27 innings with the Padres, he struck out 26 and walked five down the stretch. I like his versatility."
• DH Mike Sweeney, who has spent his entire career with the Royals since they drafted him in 1991 and is a career .299 hitter in 11-plus years in the majors, almost certainly won't be back with the club in 2008. "We'd never say never to anything with Mike, but right now the way we're set up it doesn't appear to be," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "There could be some possibilities that unfold that I'm not aware of right now. Mike is certainly still out there. Right now it doesn't look like there is a strong fit."
• RHP Brian Lawrence, who won 37 games from 2002-04 with the Padres and pitched most of last season in the Mets organization, has signed a minor league contract with the Royals with an invitation to spring training. Lawrence was 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA in six starts with New York. He missed the 2006 season with a torn labrum and rotator cuff.
• RHP Luke Hudson, who made only one start last year before needing shoulder surgery, is mentioned as a rotation candidate but could be behind the others in spring training. "Luke is probably somebody we'll go a little slower with in spring training, make sure he's 100 percent healthy before he starts competing for a job," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said.
• The bus the Royals used for their winter caravan through Kansas used to belong to the rock group ZZ Top. There was a Z on the door of the bus.
• With the signings of RHPs Brett Tomko and Brian Lawrence, the Royals are probably finished making any more additions before reporting to spring training. "There's nothing on the horizon," general manager Dayton Moore said. "I don't see any opportunities out there. We'll just evaluate in spring training. We could add a non-roster guy, but there's nothing that I'm aware of today. I think for the most part we're pretty well set."
By The Numbers: 19 -- Non-roster players the Royals have invited to big-league spring training.
Quote To Note: "You're always massaging your roster and making improvements until you win the World Series. Right now, I feel like we've improved our team on paper. That's what we're directed to." -- Royals GM Dayton Moore on his offseason moves.
Roster Report
The Royals took care of their need for a run-producer in the middle of their lineup by signing free agent OF Jose Guillen. First base will be wide open going into spring training.
Arrivals: RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta (free agent from Japan), OF Jose Guillen (free agent from Mariners), INF Alberto Callaspo (trade with Diamondbacks), LHP Ron Mahay (free agent from Braves), C Miguel Olivo (free agent from Marlins), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent from Padres), RHP Brian Lawrence (free agent from Mets).
Departures: C Jason LaRue (free agent, signed with Cardinals), RHP David Riske (free agent, signed with Brewers), RHP Billy Buckner (traded to Diamondbacks), OF Emil Brown (free agent, signed with A's).
Free Agents: LHP Odalis Perez, OF Reggie Sanders, DH Mike Sweeney, RHP John Thomson.
Sweeney's time with the Royals has likely passed, but Buddy Bell said, "Don't rule out Mike coming back." If Sweeney does return, it would be for a fraction of the $11 million he earned last season, the final year of a five-year, $55 million contract, and probably as a role player. His health remains a major concern. The Royals have zero to minimal interest in bringing back the other three.
Arbitration-eligible: OF Mark Teahen, RHP Zack Greinke.
In Limbo: CF David DeJesus could be prime trade bait if the Royals deem speedy Joey Gathright capable of being an everyday center fielder and if they could get a young power hitter or a starting pitcher in return.
Medical Watch:
RHP Luke Hudson (right shoulder surgery in June 2007) made only one start in 2007 before needing the operation. He is expected to be ready by spring training.
1B Ryan Shealy (hamstring injuries) was limited to 52 games in 2007 but should be fully recovered by spring training.
Royals Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
At the end of the 2007 season, the Royals had 11 arbitration-eligible players, but that number has dwindled to two.
The Royals avoided arbitration with first baseman-outfielder Ross Gload by signing him to a two-year contract for $3.2 million with a club option of $2.6 million for 2110. Gload earned $625,000 in 2007.
Catcher John Buck, who led the club with 18 home runs, signed for $2.2 million. Buck, the starting catcher for the past 3 1/2 seasons since he was acquired in the Carlos Beltran trade, made $440,000 last year.
Jorge De La Rosa, who was 8-12 with a 5.82 ERA in 2007, signed for $1.025 million after making $417,000 last year. He could also make $25,000 each for 24, 26, 28 and 30 starts in 2008. He made 23 starts and three relief appearances last season.
Utility player Esteban German settled on Jan. 29, accepting a $1 million, one-year deal. German, who hit .262 in 121 games as a utility player last season, filed for $1.2 million, while the club checked in at $837,000. German made $423,000 last year.
The two still eligible for arbitration hearings in February are outfielder Mark Teahen and right-hander Zack Greinke.
Teahen, who made $416,000 in 2007, is seeking $2.9 million, while the club offered $1.9 million. Greinke, who made $407,000 in 2007, asked for $1.8 million, while the club countered with $1.1 million.
Notes, Quotes
• RHP Brett Tomko was signed to a one-year, $3 million contract to be the Royals' fourth starter. Tomko had a miserable 2007 season -- he was 2-11 with a 5.80 earned run average for the Dodgers before they designated him for assignment, then signed with the Padres and went 2-1 with a 4.61 ERA in seven games, including four starts. "We like his veteran presence and feel like that there's more that he can do to improve and be more consistent," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He's always been a very good innings-eater, somebody who has always taken the ball. He's been injury free. He's a tremendous worker.
"The other part of that is if he doesn't win a spot or at some point in time we feel like we've got other alternatives in the rotation that can help us, he's that power arm from the right side out of the bullpen that can be very dominant. He's proven he can do that. Last year in 27 innings with the Padres, he struck out 26 and walked five down the stretch. I like his versatility."
• DH Mike Sweeney, who has spent his entire career with the Royals since they drafted him in 1991 and is a career .299 hitter in 11-plus years in the majors, almost certainly won't be back with the club in 2008. "We'd never say never to anything with Mike, but right now the way we're set up it doesn't appear to be," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "There could be some possibilities that unfold that I'm not aware of right now. Mike is certainly still out there. Right now it doesn't look like there is a strong fit."
• RHP Brian Lawrence, who won 37 games from 2002-04 with the Padres and pitched most of last season in the Mets organization, has signed a minor league contract with the Royals with an invitation to spring training. Lawrence was 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA in six starts with New York. He missed the 2006 season with a torn labrum and rotator cuff.
• RHP Luke Hudson, who made only one start last year before needing shoulder surgery, is mentioned as a rotation candidate but could be behind the others in spring training. "Luke is probably somebody we'll go a little slower with in spring training, make sure he's 100 percent healthy before he starts competing for a job," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said.
• The bus the Royals used for their winter caravan through Kansas used to belong to the rock group ZZ Top. There was a Z on the door of the bus.
• With the signings of RHPs Brett Tomko and Brian Lawrence, the Royals are probably finished making any more additions before reporting to spring training. "There's nothing on the horizon," general manager Dayton Moore said. "I don't see any opportunities out there. We'll just evaluate in spring training. We could add a non-roster guy, but there's nothing that I'm aware of today. I think for the most part we're pretty well set."
By The Numbers: 19 -- Non-roster players the Royals have invited to big-league spring training.
Quote To Note: "You're always massaging your roster and making improvements until you win the World Series. Right now, I feel like we've improved our team on paper. That's what we're directed to." -- Royals GM Dayton Moore on his offseason moves.
Roster Report
The Royals took care of their need for a run-producer in the middle of their lineup by signing free agent OF Jose Guillen. First base will be wide open going into spring training.
Arrivals: RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta (free agent from Japan), OF Jose Guillen (free agent from Mariners), INF Alberto Callaspo (trade with Diamondbacks), LHP Ron Mahay (free agent from Braves), C Miguel Olivo (free agent from Marlins), RHP Brett Tomko (free agent from Padres), RHP Brian Lawrence (free agent from Mets).
Departures: C Jason LaRue (free agent, signed with Cardinals), RHP David Riske (free agent, signed with Brewers), RHP Billy Buckner (traded to Diamondbacks), OF Emil Brown (free agent, signed with A's).
Free Agents: LHP Odalis Perez, OF Reggie Sanders, DH Mike Sweeney, RHP John Thomson.
Sweeney's time with the Royals has likely passed, but Buddy Bell said, "Don't rule out Mike coming back." If Sweeney does return, it would be for a fraction of the $11 million he earned last season, the final year of a five-year, $55 million contract, and probably as a role player. His health remains a major concern. The Royals have zero to minimal interest in bringing back the other three.
Arbitration-eligible: OF Mark Teahen, RHP Zack Greinke.
In Limbo: CF David DeJesus could be prime trade bait if the Royals deem speedy Joey Gathright capable of being an everyday center fielder and if they could get a young power hitter or a starting pitcher in return.
Medical Watch:
RHP Luke Hudson (right shoulder surgery in June 2007) made only one start in 2007 before needing the operation. He is expected to be ready by spring training.
1B Ryan Shealy (hamstring injuries) was limited to 52 games in 2007 but should be fully recovered by spring training.