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Royals Avoid Arb With Jimmy Gobble

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Left-handed reliever Jimmy Gobble has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Royals, according to the Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger.

Gobble, 27, posted a 8.81 ERA in 31 2/3 innings last season, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story.  After spending six weeks on the disabled list to finally resolve a chronic back problem, he pitched eight straight scoreless appearances through the month of September and ended the season on a high note. 

Gobble may as well be the poster child for lefty specialists who can’t handle right-handed hitters.  If used correctly, though, he can be a fine reliever.  Left-handed batters managed just a .200 batting average against him during the 2008 season, but righties batted at a .382 clip with eight doubles and four homers in 68 at-bats. 

Odds and Ends: Lowry, Kawakami, Lowe, Young

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Links for Wednesday…

Royals Add Five To Spring Training Invite List

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Dick Kaegel of MLB.com lists five players who have been invited to the Kansas City Royals’ Spring Training Major League camp.

The five, all minor leaguers, are Derrick Robinson (he won the Royals’ baserunner of the year award), outfielder Jose Duarte, and catchers Cody Clark, Jeff Howell and John Suomi, taken in the Rule 5 Draft from the Phillies’ organization.

Odds And Ends: Johnson, Bloomquist, Smoltz

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Links for Saturday:

  • We knew Dan Johnson was heading to Japan, but now it’s official. He’ll play for the Yokohama BayStars and earn $1.5MM in 2009.
  • Rob Neyer writes that the Willie Bloomquist signing caps an offseason that’s cost the Royals a lot and left them with very little top talent.
  • Losing John Smoltz hasn’t been easy for the Braves.
  • MLB.com’s Tom Singer takes a look at some of the remaining free agent pitchers.
  • Buster Olney creates a team of the remaining free agents and it doesn’t look bad. He also has a fun idea for teams who want to sign a Type A free agent without losing their top pick.
  • Jim Johnson seems likely to start the season in the bullpen for Baltimore.
  • Peter Schmuck writes that at a low enough price it would make sense for the O’s to gamble on some pitchers to fill out the rotation.
  • Larry LaRue wonders whether the Mariners will hold onto Jamie Burke; Burke does too.

Royals Sign Willie Bloomquist

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According to MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel, the Royals signed utility man Willie Bloomquist to a two-year deal for about $3MM.  Assuming Bloomquist passes his physical today, he’ll compete for the second base job.  The 31 year-old hit .279/.377/.285 in 192 plate appearances for the Mariners in ’08.

According to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star, the deal is for $3.1MM.

Orioles Rumors: Roberts, Uehara, Zaun, Pudge

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10:46pm: Roch Kubatko says Zaun wants a two-year deal but the Orioles prefer one year.  The O’s are also talking with Ivan Rodriguez.  Kubatko adds that Kenshin Kawakami was seeking a three-year deal.  In another post, Kubatko says the O’s have no interest in Shelley Duncan, but Richie Sexson and Ty Wigginton are possibilities for first base.  Peter Schmuck adds Nick Swisher, Ryan Garko, Billy Butler, and Ryan Shealy as trade possibilities.

Dan Connolly says the Orioles offered Brian Roberts a multiyear extension at about $10MM per, but the two sides have not made progress and Roberts doesn’t want talks dragging into the season.  Andy MacPhail said he hasn’t had trade talks for Roberts for at least a month.  As for Nick Markakis, the sides were about $10MM apart on a possible six-year extension.

11:31am: Orioles notes…

  • As you know, the Orioles reached an agreement with their first-ever Japanese player, Koji Uehara.  It’s a two-year deal worth $10MM guaranteed, with another $6MM in incentives and bonuses.  Patrick Newman offers commentary on the signing, which is not getting a ton of press in the Japanese media.  Keith Law wonders if Baltimore was a wise choice for Uehara.
  • Dan Connolly says the Orioles’ immediate priority is now to add a catcher, with Gregg Zaun and Ivan Rodriguez the candidates.
  • Peter Schmuck says the O’s are looking for a reserve infielder as well.  They’ve talked to Chris Gomez’s agent and Willie Bloomquist "might be another possibility."

Crasnick On Abreu, Eckstein, Bloomquist, Lowry

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a bunch of new info.

  • The Braves’ interest in Bobby Abreu is described as "lukewarm at best."  And he’d have to be a huge bargain for the Mets to get involved.  Abreu’s agent has his work cut out for him.
  • Two middle infield possibilities for the Royals: David Eckstein and Willie Bloomquist.  The Royals also considered Jerry Hairston Jr., but are concerned with his health record.  Also, Dayton Moore continues to deal with payroll limitations.
  • The Rangers are "keeping an eye on" Giants starters Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez.  Lowry had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September.
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