Royals Rumors

Odds and Ends: Pirates, Royals, Gagne

By Tim Dierkes | February 18, 2009 at 12:08pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Joe Torre plans to retire as a manager after the 2010 season, learned MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.
Braves blog Talking Chop talked to ESPN’s Keith Law about the farm system.
Baseball America’s Jim Callis spoke to one assistant GM who believes teams will cut back in the international market, partially because they can do so without a major backlash from fans. Callis also has the ’09 draft order at that link.
Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball looks at the $69MM+ teams spent on first-round draft picks last year.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates have anywhere from $41.75-$75.15MM tied up in Nate McLouth, Paul Maholm, and Ryan Doumit, all of whom were signed this winter. In a blog post, Kovacevic notes how the McLouth talks did a 180 when Frank Coonelly stepped in.
Alex Speier of WEEI talked to Red Sox execs John Henry and Larry Lucchino about the salary cap idea as well as the team’s offseason.
Aubrey Huff, a free agent after the season, isn’t worried about the future according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.
Chris Forsberg of the Boston Globe relays quotes from Jonathan Papelbon about the long-term deal that did not materialize this winter.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star discusses the idea of releasing Mark Teahen and John Buck to sign Orlando Hudson, which some Royals fans are pushing for.
Pitcher Kevin Correia turned down better deals to sign with his hometown Padres, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock.
Newly signed Brewers reliever Eric Gagne hopes to atone for his 2008 season, says Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Royals Avoid Arb With Mike Jacobs

By | February 17, 2009 at 9:18pm CDT

According to the Denver Post’s Troy Renck, the Royals have agreed to a one-year, $3.25MM deal with first baseman Mike Jacobs.

Jacobs can make an additional $25K if he lands on the American League All-Star team. The 28-year-old hit .247/.299/.514 last season with 32 home runs and 93 RBI. He was acquired this offseason from the Marlins for reliever Leo Nunez.

Orlando Hudson Likes The Royals

By | February 17, 2009 at 7:22pm CDT

FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson "is interested in the Royals."

Tim covered this for MLBTR earlier today, but Rosenthal has made a few updates.

Hudson has ties with two members of Kansas City’s coaching staff and wouldn’t mind a reunion. Of course, that doesn’t mean a deal will get done. The Royals would have to move some cash around to fit him in their budget and this market might not allow it. Hudson is thought to be seeking between $4MM and $5MM.

As Rosenthal notes, the signing would also "cost the Royals a second-round draft pick due to the team’s finish in the bottom half of the overall standings last season."

Orlando Hudson Rumors: Tuesday

By Tim Dierkes | February 17, 2009 at 10:32am CDT

We learned from Ken Rosenthal earlier today that the Dodgers remain interested in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Rosenthal also said that the Royals like Hudson but don’t have the financial flexibility to fit him in.

SI.com’s Jon Heyman has more on Hudson, learning that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has "had a conversation or two" with the player’s agent since Adam Dunn signed. Colletti also implied that the Dodgers could afford Hudson and Manny Ramirez, if they choose to pursue both. Heyman adds that the White Sox are not a player for Hudson.

Rosenthal On Hudson, Pudge, Cabrera, Edmonds

By Tim Dierkes | February 17, 2009 at 8:49am CDT

Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Orlando Hudson would like to play for the Royals, but currently they cannot afford him even at a likely salary under $5MM. They could free up most of the cash by releasing Mark Teahen, but Rosenthal’s source says the Royals are "unwilling to make such a move." Rany Jazayerli discusses the Royals-Hudson idea in this blog post. The Dodgers are the only other known suitor, though the fit there is questionable in my opinion.
The Mets aren’t serious about signing Ivan Rodriguez, though they have discussed it. The Mets already have $7.4MM committed to their current catching tandem. Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post goes further, saying the Mets "aren’t interested" in Rodriguez.
Currently the A’s are unwilling to meet Orlando Cabrera’s asking price. They are willing to sacrifice their second-round pick for him if they get their price.
Jim Edmonds is "attracting virtually no interest." Edmonds can still hit righties, so you’d think someone would make an offer.

Hudson To Royals A Long Shot

By Nat Boyle | February 15, 2009 at 9:38am CDT

Yesterday, Buster Olney cited the Royals’ interest in Orlando Hudson. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star followed that up today with his perspective: "It still looks like a long shot."

To replace Mark Grudzielanek, the Royals signed Willie Bloomquist to provide competition for Alberto Callaspo and Esteban German, while also allowing Mark Teahen to work out at second base. And while Dayton Moore has still expressed an openness to sign Hudson, he’s also shown confidence in his options as they stand. Dutton writes,

"Signing Hudson, a Type A free agent, would force the Royals to surrender their second-round pick in the June draft to the Diamondbacks as compensation. Club officials indicate that would be acceptable depending on Hudson’s contract — but declined to speculate on those parameters."

Royals Considering Orlando Hudson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 14, 2009 at 11:10am CDT

ESPN.com’s Buster Olney heard the Royals are looking for ways to fit Orlando Hudson into their budget. Olney calls this a "terrific idea" that would likely give the Royals a "greatly improved lineup and a better defense."

Earlier in the week, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reported the Royals’ interest in signing a free agent before the season begins. Hudson would cost the Royals their second-round pick.

Royals Monitoring Free Agent Market

By Tim Dierkes | February 11, 2009 at 9:25am CDT

The Royals are leaving the door ajar for a free agent addition or midseason move, says Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Team owner David Glass had this to say:

"Being as candid as I can, we’re close to where we’re going to have to be on payroll. But you still can make some moves. One thing that I want to make sure we do is have the flexibility where at midseason, if we’re in this thing, we have the opportunity to improve this team."

Royals GM Dayton Moore on the topic:

"We’ll continue to look at names, and we’re monitoring how things are unfolding with some of the remaining players. But if we add (payroll), we’re going to have to subtract."

The salary of new first baseman Mike Jacobs remains undetermined, with the team submitting $2.75MM and Jacobs at $3.8MM. Aside from Jacobs, the Royals added about $16MM in ’09 salaries this winter by bringing in Coco Crisp, Kyle Farnsworth, Miguel Olivo, Horacio Ramirez, Doug Waechter, and Willie Bloomquist.

Dutton notes that the Royals had previous interest in Orlando Hudson and Orlando Cabrera, but remain reluctant to lose their second-round pick even if the middle infielders come at bargain prices.

Royals, Jamey Wright Agree To Terms

By | February 10, 2009 at 5:22pm CDT

According to a press release, the Royals signed right-hander Jamey Wright to a minor league contract.

Wright’s deal comes with an invitation to spring training. The 34-year-old posted a 5.12 ERA in 75 relief appearances with the Rangers last season. He’s a 13-year MLB veteran, and went 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in four starts for the Royals back in 2003.

Royals Interested In Chad Cordero

By Tim Dierkes | February 8, 2009 at 10:31pm CDT

Word from a source around the Royals’ mini-camp in Arizona is that the team is taking a long look at free agent reliever Chad Cordero. Cordero will be conducting a showcase on February 18th.

The Royals join a long list of teams connected to the rehabbing righty this winter. Teams rumored to have interest at various points: the Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, Twins, Angels, Mets, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Nationals, and Tigers. A few of those clubs may have since spent their bullpen budgets. Cordero, 27 in March, had surgery to fix tears in his labrum and biceps tendon in July of 2008. On Monday, Cordero will throw his first private bullpen session (off a mound).

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