By Tim Dierkes | at
According to the Dominican site Impacto Deportivo, the Royals are moving toward signing Bartolo Colon. Here’s the article in its original form, and here it is via Google Translator. We’ll have to wait for confirmation and details before judging anything.
MLB.com’s Bill Ladson wrote on December 4th that the Nationals believed Colon would not accept a one-year deal. Aside from the Nats, the Mets, Rangers, Cardinals, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Mariners have been connected to Colon.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Here are some random bits and pieces to hold us over until front offices re-open…
By Tim Dierkes | at
Press release from the Royals – they’ve signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a one-year deal with options for both sides for ’09. This is a surprise; there hadn’t been any rumors of KC’s interest.
While allergic to walks, the 29 year-old backstop has above average pop for a catcher. He’s also adept at gunning down attempted thieves. Incumbent 27 year-old catcher John Buck also bats right-handed and has decent power. Perhaps the Olivo signing is designed to push him.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Ken Rosenthal has the scoop – the Royals have signed southpaw reliever Ron Mahay to a two-year, $8MM deal. Nice move by Dayton Moore getting him for less than the Phillies paid for J.C. Romero, an inferior pitcher.
Mahay is 36, though many readers pointed out to me that he converted to pitching late in life (when he was 25 or so). However – and I can’t find the link the moment – Will Carroll has found position player converts to be at greater injury risk.
The Royals are three-deep with lefty relievers, so maybe they’ll shop Jimmy Gobble or John Bale now. Mahay had been a Yankee target, so perhaps they’ll move on to Damaso Marte.
Mahay was a Type B, so the Braves receive a sandwich pick for their loss (not at the Royals’ expense).
By Tim Dierkes | at
Collection o’ links…
By Tim Dierkes | at
UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 6:26pm: Crasnick has an update: it’s for $35-36MM over three years. So he’s no bargain. $35.3MM, to be exact.
UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 3:52pm: Ken Rosenthal checks in, noting that the Dodgers and other clubs were willing to go to four years on Kuroda but he preferred three.
UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 2:25pm: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed Kuroda to a three-year deal worth between $36-40MM, pending a physical. The Dodgers will go with Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley, Derek Lowe, Kuroda, and Jason Schmidt if he’s healthy. Esteban Loaiza might have to move to the bullpen for now.
UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 11:32am: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says Ned Colletti had multiple conversations with Kuroda’s agent yesterday, and the two sides made "significant progress." The Dodgers still appear to be offering three years and $30MM. Hernandez adds that Arizona continued talking to Kuroda’s agent as well – the addition of Dan Haren apparently doesn’t diminish their interest.
FROM 12-14-07 at 9:50pm:
After all the ruckus about Hiroki Kuroda earlier this week, his agent said today that he still has not reached a decision. The decision is "very close," and may come by the end of the weekend. The Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Royals have offers out.
No word yet on whether the D’Backs will pull their offer after snagging Dan Haren. I know they’re going with the three-year payroll plan, so they can probably still fit Kuroda in.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Interesting move today, as the Royals sent 24 year-old minor league starter Billy Buckner to the Diamondbacks for 24 year-old second baseman Alberto Callaspo.
Buckner, a labrum surgery survivor, has a plus curveball according to Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein. Goldstein adds that he’s able to get groundballs and projects as a fourth starter. Throw him in the NL, maybe he could even become a #3.
Callaspo is one of the better second base prospects out there, but keep in mind that good prospects rarely come up at that position. He almost never whiffs, and plays strong defense. The high contact approach led to a .341 average in Triple A this year. That the D’Backs shipped him off could imply they want to sign Orlando Hudson long-term. Perhaps Callaspo’s off-field indiscretions played into the decision. At any rate he’s a nice addition for the Royals.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Tim’s out for the night, so we’ve got a fresh post started for the non-tenders. MLB.com has a running list as well.
These guys are the officials as of now:
–Joe and Tim
By Tim Dierkes | at
As you know, the non-tender deadline is tonight. I’ve got my list of candidates right here. In this post, I’ll note all those who are officially non-tendered and hence become free agents.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Bob Dutton of the KC Star has the latest Royals buzz, as usual.
The Royals are being aggressive trying to win an unlikely bid for Hiroki Kuroda. They might even send Trey Hillman to Japan to make a last-minute pitch. The Dodgers currently lead for Kuroda, who will decide from Japan rather than take a U.S. tour.
Plan B for the Royals is said to be Carlos Silva, but not at a price higher than four years and $40MM. That probably won’t cut it for Silva, who can probably get an additional $10MM or another year elsewhere.
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