John Buck Rumors

Royals Seeking A Catcher

After declining their 2010 option for Miguel Olivo, the Royals are searching for a catcher according to Bob Dutton of The KC Star. Dutton mentions that it would be best for the team to fill their hole behind the plate prior to December 12th, allowing them to non-tender the incumbent John Buck. “We led all of baseball (last season) in passed balls and wild pitches,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “That will be fixed in 2010. Our defense in general is our main objective to fix before next season. “And it starts behind the plate.” The team has indicated that...   Continue Reading

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Royals Face Options On Crisp, Olivo

MLB.com's Dick Kaegel takes a look at the Royals' two contract option decisions, which are due ten days after the World Series. Kaegel believes the Royals will consider Coco Crisp's $500K buyout an easy choice over his $8MM option. However, Kaegel wonders if the Royals will then offer Crisp a new incentive-laden deal. Crisp said in August, "I don't know. It'd be nice to stay for a while. I like it here." The 29-year-old center fielder had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders this summer. The weak free agent market for center fielders should work in his favor. Catcher Miguel...   Continue Reading

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Royals Rumors: Jacobs, Buck, Olivo, Teahen

Royals GM Dayton Moore tells Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star that he plans on improving his team's defense this offseason. Moore expects to have about $70MM to work with this winter, but, as Mellinger points out, that doesn't leave the Royals with much flexibility. Here are the details: The Royals figure to look for an everyday outfielder, a catcher and relief help. They will probably have to non-tender some players to stay within their budget. Mellinger assumes the Royals will buy Coco Crisp out for $500k, rather than pick up his $8MM option. Mike Jacobs is a prime...   Continue Reading

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Royals May Part With Catchers This Winter

The Royals may be ready to cut ties with catchers John Buck and Miguel Olivo this winter, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Buck is a non-tender candidate, while Olivo has a $3.3MM mutual option. Dutton also speaks of mixed reviews on rookie catcher Brayan Pena. My take: if the Royals decide to enter the free agent market, they can consider names such as Rod Barajas, Ramon Hernandez, Jason Kendall, Bengie Molina, Ivan Rodriguez, Brian Schneider, and Jason Varitek. Arizona's Chris Snyder could potentially be available via trade. Dutton traces Buck's history as a major piece in...   Continue Reading

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Royals Rumors: Soria, Gordon, Buck, Jacobs

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick explores many of the disappointing elements of the Royals' 2009 season and turns up some rumors along the way. Here they are: GM Dayton Moore says he tried to build a winner and holds himself accountable for the team's failure. Now he wants to build through scouting and player development. The Royals' system has improved as the team has spent more, but there's not an abundance of talent in the upper minors. Crasnick says the Royals need a "major overhaul" but suggests no one on the team's roster other than Zack Greinke or Joakim Soria would fetch...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Cameron, Ohman, Jenkins

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new blog post up. The Astros plan to give Chris Johnson a chance to win the third base job, but Stark says Juan Uribe, Jose Bautista, and Jeff Baker "could still show up on their shopping list in the next two weeks." Stark heard "rumblings the Yankees are poking around again on Mike Cameron's availability." Back in December, the Yanks and Brewers were pretty close on a deal. Eric Milton is looking decent and appears to be the frontrunner for the Dodgers' fifth starter job (given Pedro Martinez's asking price). Will Ohman seeks a one-year,...   Continue Reading

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Royals Catchers In Demand

According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, opposing team scouts have been tracking the Royals' surplus of catchers this spring. "A lot of teams need catchers," one scout told Dutton, "and they've got three guys who can help a big-league club. You know they're probably only going to keep two. So you know somebody is going to be available." The Royals have Miguel Olivo, John Buck and Brayan Pena in camp. Olivo will start at catcher on Opening Day, so Buck and Pena are the most likely to be moved. Dutton writes that "club officials believe a trade...   Continue Reading

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Royals Avoid Arb With John Buck, Joel Peralta

According to Sam Mellinger, the Royals avoided arbitration with John Buck and Joel Peralta ($640K) by signing both for 2009. The cases of Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke, Mike Jacobs, and Mark Teahen remain unresolved. Dayton Moore has yet to go to a hearing as Royals GM.   Continue Reading

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Stark's Non-Tender Candidates

With midnight on Friday being the deadline to tender a contract to an arbitration-eligible player, ESPN's Jayson Stark has some predictions on who could be added to the free agent market... Pitchers: Daniel Cabrera, Chad Gaudin, Jimmy Gobble, Brandon Backe, Takashi Saito, Tyler Yates, Wil Ledezma Hitters: Marcus Thames, Gabe Gross, John Buck, Jose Bautista, Chris Burke, Willy Taveras, Jonny Gomes What does everyone out there think? Any other non-tender possibilities? MLBTR posted a speculative list a week ago.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Gammons, Kawakami, Buck

Links for Monday... Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik admitted to have a conversation with Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent, but wouldn't reveal anything else. One of Matthew Cerrone's readers dug up a Primera Hora article saying the Mets have been scouting free agent reliever Fernando Cabrera. Bob Klapisch looks at Pedro Martinez's four-year, $53MM deal and asks: was it worth it? Rays Index notes that Grant Balfour will use WBC participation as a bargaining chip in contract negotiations (he's eligible for arbitration). Marc Hulet of Baseball Analysts looks at top hitters for the Rule 5 draft. Fire Brand of the American League...   Continue Reading

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