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« Today's Signings: Sanchez, Weaver, Galarraga | Main | Odds And Ends: Rockies, Manny »
Royals Sign Juan Cruz
3:16pm: Buster Olney with information on each year's value: "He receives $2.25 million for 2009, $3.25 million for 2010, and a $4 million option for 2011, with a $500,000 buyout. " Royals beat writer Dick Kaegel of MLB.com confirms it.
2:25pm: According to a press release from the team, the Kansas City Royals have signed Juan Cruz to a two-year deal, with a club option for a third year.
While it is Royals policy to keep contract terms under wraps, Ken Rosenthal has contract details. The first two years of the deal are worth $6MM, while the option year would pay Cruz $3.5MM if exercised.
Rosenthal also has details on the Royals' ability to complete the deal without negotiating a sign-and-trade with the Diamondbacks:
In the end, no sign-and-trade solution was necessary. The Royals preferred to lose their second rounder rather than give up prospects to the Diamondbacks. The team's first-round pick is protected because it finished with one of the 15 worst records in the majors last season.
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wow, didnt see that coming
Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | February 28, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Hah. wow.
Posted by: lincecum4cy | February 28, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Is anyone else starting to think the Royals could win the division with big years from Butler, Gordon, Greinke, Hochevar, Davies, and Aviles?
Posted by: scribbletone | February 28, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Holy crap.
That's frigging surprising!
Posted by: venn177 | February 28, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Love it! Their first round pick is protected, and they can deal him for prospects at the 2010 trade deadline. This is how bad teams become good....ok, this is how awful teams become mediocre, but you gotta start somewhere!
Posted by: Roberty | February 28, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Alex Walsh,
There is a club option for the third year of Juan Cruz's contract.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090228&content_id=3897264&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc
Posted by: It's Giant's Time! | February 28, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Farnsworth gets 9.5 million
Cruz gets 6 million
How much would Cruz have gotten if he wasnt a type A?
Posted by: Kramerica Industries | February 28, 2009 at 02:37 PM
6 mill? Tuck the Fwins
Posted by: twinsfan | February 28, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Two years for a guy that couldn't find another interested team? Ehhh I'd have kept it to one year, but can't deny Cruz will help them.
Posted by: metzfan22 | February 28, 2009 at 02:39 PM
the Royals are quietly getting better and better
it wont surprise me at all to see them makin a run for the playoffs with those young guys
Posted by: Bleacher_bum_SF | February 28, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Great signing by the Royals. 15 clubs would have had to give up a first round pick for him and it's understandable that they didn't want to do that. For a second rounder, that's a great deal, especially since they can get an even better pick down the road if he walks away at the end of this contract.
Posted by: Tigerdog | February 28, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Another sweet move by KC. Would not be surprised to see this team move ahead of both the twins and Chisox this year with just a little luck and them and Clevelend/Detroit in a 3 way battle for the central. Cruz will be the perfect setup guy for Soria, with Farnsworth/Mahay in 6-7th inning role now.
Posted by: johns | February 28, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Metzfan22,
If the Royals have to give up a draft pick to sign Juan Cruz, then I too would have given him a two year deal with an option. If the Royals are not competing by the July 31st trade deadline and if Juan Cruz is having a good year, then he will probably get more interest by signing a two year deal because whoever deals for him will also have him signed for the following year instead of becoming a free agent that year. Plus, the Royals would probably get better offers for Cruz with him having signed a two year deal. Just look at what happened with why Brian Fuentes didn't get traded last year. Had the Rockies were not competing in 2007, then I could see Fuentes getting better offers that year instead of what was his walk year in 2008.
Posted by: It's Giant's Time! | February 28, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Well played. That changes the outlook a lot. Next: get 2nd base shored up.
Posted by: tyler | February 28, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Your crazy if you think the Royals will be better than the Twins this year. The Twins are soo good.
Posted by: YankFan408 | February 28, 2009 at 02:59 PM
This is a very good move by KC. And although it seems as if Cruz could have commanded more had he not been Type A, I for one am glad that as of now no 'sign and trades' are going through. I think that notion really opens up a can o' worms and will change the culture of signings worse than the loss of draft picks.
Posted by: NuschlerBall212 | February 28, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Good signing for the Royals.
Wow, I wouldn't have thought this a few weeks ago, but with Contreras WAY ahead of schedule, there could be 5 81-81 teams in the AL central...lol.
Posted by: Svengoolie | February 28, 2009 at 03:09 PM
"6 mill? Tuck the Fwins"
A second round pick is worth a lot less than a first round pick, which the Twins would've had to give up.
Posted by: melonis rex | February 28, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Tim,
Any way you can find out if the Royals still plan to have scouts watching Chad Cordero pitch, as you had mentioned in an update a couple days ago?
Curious if the Cruz signing takes them out of plans to even bother watching him throw.
Thanks.
Posted by: bobhamelin | February 28, 2009 at 03:31 PM
"Well played. That changes the outlook a lot. Next: get 2nd base shored up."
Would it make any sense to move Aviles to 2B and try to sign Cabrera? Is Aviles capable of playing second? How is he at shortstop?
I think the Royals could be good this year, possibly winning the division if a lot of things break really well for them, but lets get it straight, this team is not the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay was ready to do what they did, they have an outstanding core of position players and a wonderful, top tier pitching staff. It wasn't an accident that they went to the world series. The Royals are a good young team, definitely getting better, but they aren't at that level yet. The one thing they do have going for them is their division is loads easier then the AL East is/was.
Posted by: nrmax88 | February 28, 2009 at 03:33 PM
"Would it make any sense to move Aviles to 2B and try to sign Cabrera?"
Or just tell Cabrera to play 2B... he does't have a lot of leverage at the moment.
Posted by: Svengoolie | February 28, 2009 at 03:45 PM
"Would it make any sense to move Aviles to 2B and try to sign Cabrera? Is Aviles capable of playing second? How is he at shortstop?"
I think he played at second some last year
"I think the Royals could be good this year, possibly winning the division if a lot of things break really well for them"
So could the Orioles if things broke for them. Does any one consider this possible? no. Even with good years from their younger players, the Royals are at best a middle team in the AL Central. And the AL Central is actually quite hard. True it is not as tough as the AL East, but there arent many divisions that 4 of the 5 teams have won/have come close to winning the division in the past five years.
Also, the Royals pitching staff is kind of middling, and not that comparable to the pitching talent and depth the Rays had/have
Posted by: Dashboard | February 28, 2009 at 03:49 PM
I love this signing for KC. Although I really think either him or Farnsworth will be moved at the deadline to someone craving bullpen help. Cruz is easily worth the second round pick.
"Curious if the Cruz signing takes them out of plans to even bother watching him throw."
I hope not. Cordero's got sick upside, and he's under team control for longer/cheaper.
""Would it make any sense to move Aviles to 2B and try to sign Cabrera? Is Aviles capable of playing second? How is he at shortstop?""
Aviles is an OK defensive SS, and would probably be a really good defensive 2B. However, if Aviles is the long term SS (I think Moustakas ends up a 3B or a 2B, not a SS), then it is best to have Cabrera play 2B.
Posted by: melonis rex | February 28, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Very smart move. I was wondering why a team with a protected pick didn't sign him sooner (ahem Braves, Tigers, Indians, A's).
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | February 28, 2009 at 04:47 PM
"Very smart move. I was wondering why a team with a protected pick didn't sign him sooner (ahem Braves, Tigers, Indians, A's)."
A's are loaded from the right side and have a bunch of young RH relief prospects on the bubble as well. They need a lefty to complement Blevins (and maybe Outman) more than they need a righty.
Agreed on the other teams though.
Posted by: melonis rex | February 28, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Great move. I'm not ready to say this team will march into the playoffs this year...but I have hope that we won't see any 9 and 12 game losing streaks which means they may be playing meaningful baseball in September. Here in KC that would be huge.
Be competitive and play meaningful ball in September and you will fill this stadium and generate the revenue you spent to sign these guys. Guaranteed.
Posted by: Otis26 | February 28, 2009 at 05:06 PM
Someone wrote: "Is anyone else starting to think the Royals could win the division with big years from Butler, Gordon, Greinke, Hochevar, Davies, and Aviles?"
Yes, if they all have big years--in some cases their first big years ever--and Brett and McRae have good years as well....oh wait....
Posted by: Typee | February 28, 2009 at 05:18 PM
I think this signing gives the Royals the 3rd best BP in baseball behind the Red Sox and Mets. It's easily the best BP in the AL Central. If they can get a lead to the 7th inning it will be hard for them to blow it.
Posted by: IamWeasel | February 28, 2009 at 05:35 PM
good deal for both but Cruz really has to be loving it
Posted by: A-RodMadonnaCastASpellonyou | February 28, 2009 at 05:37 PM
I think this signing gives the Royals the 3rd best BP in baseball behind the Red Sox and Mets. It's easily the best BP in the AL Central. If they can get a lead to the 7th inning it will be hard for them to blow it.
________________________
Don't sleep on the Yanks bullpen fellas. Tons of power arms in front of Mo Rivera.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | February 28, 2009 at 05:43 PM
"Aviles is an OK defensive SS, and would probably be a really good defensive 2B. However, if Aviles is the long term SS (I think Moustakas ends up a 3B or a 2B, not a SS), then it is best to have Cabrera play 2B. "
Aviles is a solid shortstop. He CAN handle the position and i wouldn't be too worried about the middle infield. Moustakas will not play SS in the bigs because he cant even play there in the minors. He is a future corner infield/outfield player. Maybe 2nd base.
Posted by: royalswin | February 28, 2009 at 05:48 PM
Don't sleep on the Yanks bullpen fellas. Tons of power arms in front of Mo Rivera.
I agree, the Yankees BP is very good. I also like the Cubs, Rays, and Dodgers BPs.
Posted by: IamWeasel | February 28, 2009 at 05:55 PM
The Royals could win the AL central next year. 90 wins should be enough.
And the twins are not "sooo good." Thats for sure.
I think it'll be wide open in the central, but if the Royals young players produce, watch out.
Posted by: bravesfansc | February 28, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Damn if they had sign Hudson they would had only lost a 3rd rd pick.
Posted by: DominicanYanks | February 28, 2009 at 07:21 PM
wonder if this could lead to soria starting. Cruz in 9th and Farnsworth in the 8th sounds good enough to me.
Posted by: nextdaytonmoore | February 28, 2009 at 07:46 PM
nextdaytonmoore, I was wondering if this was simply to replace the set up man Nunez who went to Florida for Jacobs, but mostly because I have little faith in Farnsworth. I hadn't considered Soria starting. Interesting.
Posted by: GravediggerHebner | February 28, 2009 at 07:58 PM
"So could the Orioles if things broke for them."
No they couldn't. That's the difference. Everything else you said is pretty much my whole point. The Royals would have to have things fall into place almost perfectly to win their division. There is no feasible way the Orioles can do that, even if everything goes perfectly.
Posted by: nrmax88 | February 28, 2009 at 08:11 PM
"nextdaytonmoore, I was wondering if this was simply to replace the set up man Nunez who went to Florida for Jacobs, but mostly because I have little faith in Farnsworth. I hadn't considered Soria starting. Interesting."
I think they realize that Hillman road the heck out of Mahay, Ramon Ramirez and Soria last year. They had to have more consistency from their bullpen.
Posted by: IamWeasel | February 28, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Astute move by KC. I like their aggression in the 'pen -- Farnsworth, Cruz, and Waechter will help shore up the relief staff. And having Soria will always help.
KC could conceivably be a .500 team this year. I don't think they take the division (I call Cleveland there), but second place and contention into the final week of the year is very conceivably possible.
Posted by: Counciltucky | February 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
The Royals just aren't that talented. They don't have many glaring holes either, so they should be somewhat respectable... they'll finish anywhere from 3rd to 5th.
The Twins, Indians, and Tigers all have much stronger core talent, with the first two being fairly balanced and Detroit being offensive-heavy. One of those three will probably have things go wrong, but not all of them.
Posted by: jehu | March 01, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Yeah jehu...the Tigers had much better core talent than the Royals last year too.
Posted by: Otis26 | March 01, 2009 at 10:39 AM
The Twins signing Juan Cruz would not be worth giving up a first round pick. This was a great move by the Royals. I mean with a first round pick, you do not know who you can get. You can end up with a guy like Joe Mauer. The Twins relievers are pitching well in spring training right now. Their bullpen should be fine.
Posted by: R.I.P. Kirby | March 01, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Look out for Delmon Young. He's hot already in spring training.
Posted by: R.I.P. Kirby | March 01, 2009 at 11:14 AM
"wonder if this could lead to soria starting. Cruz in 9th and Farnsworth in the 8th sounds good enough to me."
Yes PLEASE. Soria has an immense amount of talent. Let him have a shot at starting. It would be HUGE for KC's future to have Greinke and Soria headlining that rotation. Solid gold. If he doesn't do well in the rotation, then send him back to being an elite closer.
Posted by: melonis rex | March 01, 2009 at 12:22 PM
As an Indians fan, I watched in horror as they jerked with Danny Baez, back and forth reliever and starter. He was so promising, but the team wanted to mold him to what they needed. I would say let Soria close because you know he's money. Of course, every situation is different.
Posted by: Furrski | March 01, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Soria will remain the closer you can bank on that. It's gonna be lights out if the Royals lead into the 6th inning with Farnsworth, Mahay, Cruz, and Soria.
The Royals should be battling the Twins for the division in September. I believe they are better than DET and the CWS. Cleveland is pretty darn good too, but they are gonna miss CC.
The Royals will improve fairly dramatically from their youth core of Butler Gordon, Teahen, and DeJesus. Olivo will provide more pop at C, Jacobs will hit 30 HR/100 RBI but SO alot. And the pitching will be 2nd best behind the Twins.
Posted by: RoyalsNut | March 08, 2009 at 08:50 PM
uh this is the royals they'll still suck, it doesn't matter. They just waste more talent in KC when it could help an actual contender.
Posted by: twins733 | March 09, 2009 at 07:22 PM