Royals Rumors

Stark’s Latest: Young Players, Giles, DeJesus

By Tim Dierkes | May 23, 2008 at 8:41am CDT

Jayson Stark’s latest Rumblings and Grumblings column is chock full of information.

Stark rattles off Dan Uggla, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton, Russell Martin, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Felix Hernandez, Jeff Francoeur, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia as youngsters who do not have long-term deals in the works. With Uggla and Greinke, the opposition seems more on the team’s side. With Hamels and Howard neither side wants a long-term deal. With the rest, the player is resisting.
The Padres’ top trading chip is probably Brian Giles, though a deal would further deplete a weak offense.
The A’s are willing to deal, with pitching considered the surplus. Billy Beane might be able to snag one good prospect for Rich Harden.
There’s some doubt as to whether the Rockies will make Matt Holliday this year’s Mark Teixeira as we approach the deadline.
Teams other than the Royals are speculating that center fielder David DeJesus might be available.
The Marlins and Hanley Ramirez battled over a no-trade clause…and the Fish won. He has none.

Royals Sign Horacio Ramirez

By Tim Dierkes | May 22, 2008 at 10:49am CDT

Horacio Ramirez has finally hooked on with a team. The Royals signed him to a minor league deal and sent him to extended spring training.

Ramirez, 28, had a run as a mildly useful if oft-injured groundball pitcher before the infamous trade to Seattle for Rafael Soriano.

Odds and Ends: Royals, Cashman, Tavarez

By Tim Dierkes | May 20, 2008 at 4:46pm CDT

4:45pm: Updating the Tavarez item – the Boston Herald reports that he’s accepted a minor league assignment in order to buy the Red Sox more time in trading him.

10:38am: Here’s today’s link collection.

MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel hears the Royals are leaning toward an impact bat in the June draft. Baseball America predicted catcher Buster Posey, while Jonathan Mayo went with first baseman Eric Hosmer. First baseman Justin Smoak is another possibility.
Paul DePodesta tells a story about the gamesmanship of the draft.
Hank Steinbrenner says there’s a chance Brian Cashman will be the Yankees’ GM next year, if he wants to be. He might be able to find a better situation. If there’s a new GM, his first task might be negotiating with Scott Boras for Mark Teixeira.
The Rockies still might have mild interest in Julian Tavarez, who will become a free agent today.
The Marlins, Rockies, and Rangers were the three clubs interested in Edinson Volquez when he was a kid in the Dominican.

What’s Next For The Royals?

By Tim Dierkes | May 18, 2008 at 8:47pm CDT

MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel notes that the Royals have closer Joakim Soria and outfielder David DeJesus under contract multiple years into the future. Is anything cooking with other young Royals?

The Royals didn’t seek Soria out to sign him. Instead, he was "very aggressive" and approached the team, according to Dayton Moore. And Allard Baird signed DeJesus.
Kaegel spoke to Alex Gordon and Brian Bannister, and learned that nothing is in the works. Bannister wondered whether his age (27) could be a factor.
Kaegel didn’t talk to Zack Greinke or John Buck, but Bob Dutton did a week ago. Neither has been approached to talk extension. Greinke said he didn’t know what he was worth, while Buck admitted he’d welcome talks. No word on Billy Butler or Mark Teahen.
Craig Brown of Royals Authority offers his predictions on contenders for long-term deals.

Joakim Soria Signs Extension

By Tim Dierkes | May 18, 2008 at 10:31am CDT

SUNDAY, 10:29am: Bob Dutton reports that Soria gets $8MM guaranteed with a chance to earn $32MM. There are accelerator clauses included to cover a possible move to the rotation.

SATURDAY, 10:11pm: Royals closer Joakim Soria signed a three-year contract extension with an additional three option years tonight. The terms are not yet known.

Soria, 24 years old tomorrow, would’ve been arbitration-eligible starting with the 2010 season. Assuming the contract starts in ’09, it appears to buy out two arb years with an option on the last. Then the Royals have options on two free agent seasons. If Soria’s deal is similar to that of Manny Corpas, Soria might get around $7MM guaranteed for the 2009-11. I’m sure we’ll know soon enough.

Soria’s lights-out start to the ’08 season seems to demonstrate improvement upon his fine rookie year. Will the Royals try him in the rotation one of these years? Also, are they discussing extensions with Zack Greinke or Brian Bannister? Nothing has been reported yet.

Odds and Ends: Jacque, Vizquel, Greinke

By Tim Dierkes | May 13, 2008 at 10:30am CDT

Today’s linkage…

An MLBTR chat will take place in this space at 2pm CST – get your questions ready!
I will also be hopping on ESPN-1580 (Columbia, MO) today at 4:20pm CST.
Jacque Jones prefers to play for the Marlins…I imagine he will end up there.
GM bloodlines courtesy of Batter’s Box.
Omar Vizquel wants to play in ’09, if he has a good offensive year in ’08.
The White Sox do not intend to overpay their 8th overall pick this June.
The Royals haven’t had any extension talks yet with Zack Greinke, who would become a free agent after the 2010 season. Greinke says he doesn’t know what he’s worth. The market says about $11MM over the 2009-10 seasons.
J.P. Ricciardi says he’s done tinkering with his offense.

Stark’s Latest: Griffey, Daniel Cabrera, Lidge

By Tim Dierkes | May 9, 2008 at 11:50am CDT

ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a new column up; it’s a must-read.

Stark examines the impact of ten deals made last offseason; check it out.
Because of last year’s surprise playoff clubs, teams may wait extra long this year before throwing in the towel and trading veterans.
As Peter Gammons has noted, Ken Griffey Jr.’s 2009 option will be an impediment in dealing him. Even if the Reds find a suitor Griffey will probably want that $16.5MM guaranteed for ’09.
Daniel Cabrera will be available again this summer. The Orioles should trade him as soon as possible; the .213 BABIP and 1.62 K/BB ratio indicate that his 3.54 ERA is a fluke.
The Royals will have pitching to spare this summer, with guys like Ron Mahay, Jimmy Gobble, and Brett Tomko on the block. Might make sense to shop Gil Meche, too.
The Phillies may want to explore an extension with impending free agent Brad Lidge before season’s end. Three years might be their max, though. The extension subject has not yet been broached with Pat Burrell.

Royals Mulling Options For No. 3 Pick

By Tim Dierkes | May 7, 2008 at 12:38pm CDT

In MLB.com articles here and here, Dick Kaegel attempts to decipher the Royals’ plans for their #3 pick in the June draft.

Comments from Royals’ scouting director Deric Ladnier have been understandably cryptic. Kaegel’s interpretation is that the Royals will lean toward a college power hitter such as Pedro Alvarez (if available) or Justin Smoak. Top pitchers as well as catchers Kyle Skipworth and Buster Posey can’t be ruled out though. First baseman Eric Hosmer has been suggested as another possibility; it’s still wide open.

Rockies Acquire Jason Grilli, Jorge de la Rosa

By Tim Dierkes | April 30, 2008 at 4:53pm CDT

The Rockies and Tigers made a swap today. The Rockies get 31 year-old pitcher Jason Grilli, while the Tigers receive 22 year-old pitcher Zach Simons.

Grilli has served as a mop-up man for the Tigers the past two years, eating bullpen innings at a mediocre ERA. The Rox may have been drawn to his typically decent groundball rates.

Simons appears to be a long shot to reach the bigs; he wasn’t among the Rockies’ top 30 prospects.

The Rox also completed their long-rumored deal for lefty Jorge de la Rosa. He’ll jump right into the rotation. The 27 year-old is an interesting arm when healthy.

Odds and Ends: Morris, Moeller, de la Rosa

By Tim Dierkes | April 30, 2008 at 9:07am CDT

Let’s kick things off with an odds and ends post today. By the way did anyone watch Max Scherzer’s debut last night? Damn.

Dejan Kovacevic notes that even if Matt Morris considered retiring and abandoning his ’08 salary, the Players Association would’ve strongly objected.
Rays Senior VP of Baseball Ops Gerry Hunsicker indicates that the team will spend money to improve the team if they’re still contending a few months from now.
According to Jon Heyman, catcher Chad Moeller will remain with the Yankees.
Another fine piece from Bob Nightengale of USA Today (hat tip to ShysterBall). The article discusses the pros and cons of young players leaving money on the table in exchange for security.
The Rockies may complete their long-rumored Jorge de la Rosa acquisition. The Rox have question marks in the rotation after Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis.
Good point from Ken Davidoff – the Phil Hughes/Johan Santana question can’t be answered yet.

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