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« Mets Still Like Joe Blanton | Main | Cubs Eyeing Lieber? »
Dutton On Royals' Free Agent Starter Search
I recently named the Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton as Rumor Royalty for the Royals. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for the site.
MLBTR: It seems pretty clear the Royals are going to sign a veteran starter. They've been linked to Bartolo Colon, Jon Lieber, Kris Benson, and others who have signed elsewhere. Who do you see as the best fit for this team?
Dutton: The guy they really wanted was Hiroki Kuroda, and I'm pretty sure they tendered the top bid before he signed with the Dodgers. They liked Carlos Silva but not at his asking price. That leaves, primarily, guys who are trying to recover from major injuries. In short, guys who really aren't good fits for anyone.
Even so, I think the Royals will continue to try to sign one. I believe Colon is their top choice, but he's asking for $8-9 million and is looking for a multi-year deal. I think he's kidding himself. Maybe someone will bite, but I'll be real surprised if the Royals do.
The Royals are like most every other team looking at these guys: they're willing to build in lots of performance bonuses, but they'll want to protect them by insisting on a low guarantee. What they can offer that others can't, they believe, is the likelihood of greater patience.
These guys all need to pitch to rebuild their careers, and they're likely to have some rough stretches. The Royals would probably be willing to stick with them longer than most other clubs. They also play in a fairly big ballpark, which is forgiving to fly-ball pitchers, and have pretty good infield defense to benefit ground-ball pitchers.
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i believe a rehab project would make sense for kc. they have lots of starters but mostly young,so why not take a chance on someone and if it doesnt work out they can plug someone else in. they seem to be ok with spending money these days(wisely or not)so a colon would make good sense. as for the point about more opportunity i would completely agree with that. thats what the cards can offer fas as well. also big ballpark is an advantage. thats why i dont see houston or texas landing one of the rehab guys. as for the defense i dont know about that. maybe its average(maybe)but i dont think its good. too much youth.
Posted by: Joelcards | January 05, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I'd like to know why the Cubs just gave Angel Pagan away to the Mets for two pieces of garbage?
http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=371
Posted by: thenockmlb | January 05, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Bartolo Colon has got to be crazy. For someone coming off a major injury, he's looking for almost as much cash as Alfonso Soriano made last year. What a joke!
Posted by: TheGrinch | January 05, 2008 at 04:54 PM
I hope he is asking 8-9 million over two years!
Posted by: wcg1380 | January 05, 2008 at 05:24 PM
"Bartolo Colon has got to be crazy. For someone coming off a major injury, he's looking for almost as much cash as Alfonso Soriano made last year. What a joke!"
Jason Marquis - If Marquis can get his contract, screw that. Colon should ask for 12 per for 4 years.
Posted by: bsox21 | January 05, 2008 at 06:12 PM
"I'd like to know why the Cubs just gave Angel Pagan away to the Mets for two pieces of garbage?"
You would like to know why one waste of a roster space was traded for two minor league roster fillers?
I'm not sure why you would give half a crap.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | January 05, 2008 at 07:20 PM
lol that first guy that said the royals dont have a good defense are u joking lol... Gordon is future gold glover.. pena is a little shaky buts lets keep in mind he goes after everything which is why he gets more errors.. grud is a gold glover.. gload/gordon is a great firstbase glove.. teahen was like 2nd in assist in outfield.. dejesus is great centerfielder.. and guillen has one hell of an arm... but catcher john buck is terrible although he is good at blocking and lets not forget they just got miguel olivo by far one of the best arms behind the plate
Posted by: Focs | January 05, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Dutton is a gem in KC and I've loved his articles for years. He writes with a different "voice" than a lot of the other guys to rattle around the Star's newsprint over the years.
Did you ask him about the GIGANTIC pixelated head photos that run on the website?
Posted by: gjoe | January 05, 2008 at 10:23 PM