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[warthog]

Place KC Royals stuff here.

[warthog]

Posted on Thu, Oct. 30, 2008

Royals trade for Florida slugger Jacobs

By SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

Looks as if Dayton Moore is backing up those promises of major offseason changes.Less than 24 hours after the end of the World Series ? the unofficial start of baseball's hot stove time ? the Royals completed a long-rumored deal that brings left-handed slugger Mike Jacobs from Florida for reliever Leo Nu?ez.

The trade gives the Royals another first baseman, a position they already have stocked in abundance, so it's easy to imagine more moves coming.

"I think your instincts are right," general manager Dayton Moore said. "We'll continue to filter through different things and different scenarios as we get into the offseason. Obviously other clubs in baseball, they recognize what you've recognized."

Jacobs fills a couple of needs for the Royals ? primarily, a power hitter who club officials think can be a middle-of-the-lineup presence.

He celebrated his 28th birthday on Thursday, after a season in which he hit .247 with 32 homers and 93 RBIs for the Marlins. The Royals haven't had a home-run total that high since Jermaine Dye hit 33 in 2000.

The Royals also had one of the game's most drastic split differences ? they hit 26 points higher and slugged 53 points better against lefties than righties. Jacobs had a .542 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers last year.

Jacobs was often pulled for a defensive replacement, but the primary knock on him is his low on-base percentage. He walked just 36 times last year, and his .299 on-base percentage was the seventh-lowest in baseball among players with 500 or more plate appearances.

Moore, manager Trey Hillman and new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer have publicly tabbed improving on-base percentage as a primary way to improve a weak offense.

"I don't walk a lot," Jacobs said. "I'm up there to swing the bat; I'm up there to drive runs in and be productive that way. Is it something I'd like to work on? Absolutely."

That on-base percentage was a career low for Jacobs, as was his .247 batting average. Moore hinted that Seitzer saw some things on video that he thinks show a potential for improving Jacobs' on-base percentage.

Talks between the clubs originally had Royals prospect Carlos Rosa going to Florida, but the Marlins backed away because of concerns over his health.

This deal was the second time Moore had tried to trade Nu?ez. Last year, a transaction was cancelled after Milton Bradley failed a physical.

Nu?ez was a valuable member of the Royals' bullpen last year as a setup man, going 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 48 1/3 innings over 45 appearances. He is listed at 6 feet 1 and 160 pounds, and with a max-effort delivery has always been surrounded by durability questions. He missed several weeks because of a strained right upper-back muscle.

Thursday's announcement was a continuation of Moore's willingness to part with relievers. The Royals let David Riske go last year in exchange for an extra draft pick, and traded Octavio Dotel, Horacio Ramirez, Jeremy Affeldt, Ambiorix Burgos, Andrew Sisco, Mike MacDougal and Elmer Dessens.

That willingness to deal has been complemented by an ability to identify good relievers. In addition to some of the names above, Moore has acquired Joakim Soria, Ramon Ramirez, Ron Mahay and Robinson Tejeda in mostly low-risk deals.

"I'm not going to fall in love with relief pitchers," Moore said.

He's also, obviously, not going to hesitate to trade pieces of his roster to make improvements ? especially offensively.

Jacobs figures to be in the Royals' lineup every day in the field or as the designated hitter, joining primary first basemen Billy Butler, Ryan Shealy, Ross Gload and Kila Ka'aihue on the Royals' 40-man roster. That group doesn't include Jos? Guillen, who played 43 games as the DH last year.

Gload has one more year on his contract and can play a corner outfield spot. Ka'aihue has options remaining, as does Butler, who carries the most trade value in the group.

"We need to get better now," Moore said. "We can continue to develop at the major leagues, and we're going to continue to get the same result we've been getting, and that's not something we're prepared to do anymore."

?GRUDZIELANEK FILES: Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was among 65 AL players to file for free-agency Thursday, the first day of the filing period. Players have until Nov. 13 to file.

Grudzielanek hit .299 in 86 games last season and was slowed by various injuries.

Mike Jacobs file
Height/weight: 6-3, 215Age: 28   Bats/throws: L/R

2008 stats: .247 batting average, .299 on-base pct., 32 HRs, 93 RBIs

[penguin]

I hope we see lots of action this off season

[Dom]

I think Jacobs should help out, he has a bit of bat power that will be nice to get in the lineup

[warthog]

Royals GM Gets Busy
By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

DANA POINT, Calif. | Last week's acquisition of first baseman Mike Jacobs is just the start of what Royals general manager Dayton Moore anticipates will be a busy offseason.Moore's wish list still includes a veteran middle infielder, a run-producing outfielder and help for both the bullpen and rotation. That will be his focus this week at the St. Regis Resort, located roughly 30 miles southeast of Disneyland, when baseball's general managers gather for their annual meetings.

"There is always opportunity out there," Moore said. "It's just up to us to be creative and figure out how to make it work. We're at a point in time where we have to make sure the guys who we bring in make sense and put us in a position where we're not restricted as we go forward on things we want to do."

That's a gentle way of saying Moore is battling financial restrictions this winter as he seeks to bolster a club that finished last season at 75-87 and escaped last place in the American League Central Division for the first time in five years.

Club officials expect no major increases in a payroll of roughly $60 million, which likely limits Moore to one impact free-agent addition ? and probably a second-tier one at that.

The Royals already have $39.2 million committed next season to eight players after Monday's decision to exercise a mutual option for $2.7 million with catcher Miguel Olivo.

The other guarantees: Jos? Guillen ($12 million), Gil Meche ($11 million), Ron Mahay ($4 million), David DeJesus ($3.6 million), Yasuhiko Yabuta ($3 million), Ross Gload ($1.9 million) and Joakim Soria ($1 million).

A list of 14 potential arbitration cases ? a staggering number ? includes Jacobs, who figures to command between $2 million-$3 million after hitting 32 homers and driving in 93 runs last season for Florida.

Zack Greinke should zoom past $2 million ? perhaps way past ? while John Buck, Olivo and Mark Teahen are already at $2 million-plus.

First-time arbitration eligibles include Kyle Davies, Brian Bannister and John Bale. The first two are in line for a major hike. In contrast, Bale made $2.2 million last season in completing a two-year, $4 million deal that lured him back from Japan.

The Royals also face decisions on Joey Gathright, Jimmy Gobble, Esteban German, Joel Peralta, Brandon Duckworth, Jason Smith and Luke Hudson. Some or all could be jettisoned to free roster space and payroll.

Dollars will be tight in any scenario. That makes it no surprise when Moore admits: "Our focus is going to be through trades and other opportunities that may arise."

Moore recently spiked rumors that Teahen could be headed to Cleveland for an outfielder, but Teahen remains one of the club's top trade possibilities ? especially because his salary should approach $3 million or more.

The GMs are meeting through Wednesday, although many won't depart until Thursday. The official reason for their gathering is to discuss topics of mutual interest ? last year's talks, for example, included the possible use of instant replay.

Unofficially but more importantly, the meetings serve as a facilitator for face-to-face trade talks. Many agents also roam the lobby in hopes of generating opportunities for their clients.

[Dom]

warthog, on Nov 4 2008, 10:15 AM, said:

DANA POINT, Calif. | Last week's acquisition of first baseman Mike Jacobs is just the start of what Royals general manager Dayton Moore anticipates will be a busy offseason.Moore's wish list still includes a veteran middle infielder, a run-producing outfielder and help for both the bullpen and rotation. That will be his focus this week at the St. Regis Resort, located roughly 30 miles southeast of Disneyland, when baseball's general managers gather for their annual meetings.

Lets get Manny

[ryno]

Dom, on Nov 9 2008, 01:56 AM, said:

Lets get Manny

Sure, why not Sabathia too while you're at it?

Lets be serious, the Royals are still working on an extreme budget and that's why they will look to trade both Guillen and Teahan. Between the players you get back and the money freed up the Royals can fill the majority of their holes.

[Dom]

I just hope they can put a solid ball club out on the field, they don't need the big names they just need people who can play

[Dom]

ESPN reports that the Red Sox and the Royals made a trade sending Coco Crisp to the Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez. This shows the Royals are at least trying to get some better bats in the line-up. I think its a good trade for both teams.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3712531

[penguin]

When I hear the name Coco I think of a chimp.

[HG]

penguin, on Nov 19 2008, 12:35 PM, said:

When I hear the name Coco I think of a chimp.

Makes me think "IM COO! COO! for COCO PUFFS!

[warthog]

HailGunther, on Nov 19 2008, 01:18 PM, said:

Makes me think "IM COO! COO! for COCO PUFFS!

Actually makes me think of Cocoa Krispies, which I believe that is what he was nicknamed after. Great cereal by the way, better than Cocoa Pebbles.

[ryno]

Farnsworth, K.C. agree on 2-year deal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Reliever Kyle Farnsworth and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a $9.25 million, two-year contract on Saturday.

"Kyle Farnsworth's power arm blends in well with the rest of our bullpen," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "We feel his presence will impact our bullpen and make it very strong."

Farnsworth and the Royals had reached a preliminary agreement earlier in the week. Traded July 30 from the New York Yankees to Detroit for catcher Ivan Rodriguez, the hard-throwing right-hander went 2-3 with a 4.48 ERA and one save in 61 appearances overall last season, then filed for free agency.

Farnsworth, of Wichita, Kan., would get $4.25 million next year and $4.5 million in 2010. The deal includes a $5.25 million club option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout, and Farnsworth could make an additional $750,000 per season in performance bonuses.

The 32-year-old Farnsworth has a 30-48 record and a 4.47 ERA in 612 career appearances in 26 starts for the Chicago Cubs, Detroit, the Atlanta Braves and the Yankees. Since the 2003 season, he has posted 441 strikeouts, the seventh-most in the majors among relievers.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound right-hander split the 2008 season between the Yankees and Tigers, posting a 1-2 mark and a 3.65 ERA with New York in 45 games and a 1-1 record with a 6.75 ERA in 16 outings for Detroit.

[ryno]

Farns is a homerun waiting to happen.

But he is a power arm and we all know teams love to load up with them.

[T-Rich49]

could have used the 9.5 we spen on Farns for Furcal but no

[warthog]

T-Rich49, on Dec 16 2008, 12:40 PM, said:

could have used the 9.5 we spen on Farns for Furcal but no

Make a big splash for Lowe, or is he gone? I was worried about so much money for Furcal because of injury.

[T-Rich49]

warthog, on Dec 16 2008, 12:46 PM, said:

Make a big splash for Lowe, or is he gone? I was worried about so much money for Furcal because of injury.

Lowe's still out there

[penguin]

Amid media reports that free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal has reached agreement on a multiyear contract with the Atlanta Braves, agent Paul Kinzer told ESPN.com that a deal has yet to be finalized.

The proposed deal with Atlanta would be for three years and a base salary of about $30 million. It includes a vesting option for a fourth year. A source close to the situation confirmed to ESPN.com that Furcal has reached preliminary agreement with Atlanta pending completion of a physical exam.

Foxsports.com first reported that Furcal was near a deal with the Braves.

While the signs still point toward Furcal returning to Atlanta, where he spent his first six major league seasons, Kinzer said his client has yet to commit to a deal with the Braves. Atlanta general manager Frank Wren didn't respond to an email seeking comment.

"The Braves are definitely in the lead right now,'' Kinzer said. "That's what I told them last night -- 'right now, he's leaning toward you guys.' But I wanted Raffy to sleep on it so we could talk about it again today. I didn't want him to make an emotional decision, because he was so excited about coming [to Atlanta].

"It's not done until we sign off and there's a physical exam, and we haven't gotten that far. Until a letter of agreement is signed, we don't even start the process to get him to Atlanta for a physical.''

Furcal is still in the Dominican Republic, and Kinzer planned to fly to New York later Tuesday for a Wednesday press conference that will introduce another one of his clients, New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, to the New York media.

Although Furcal's deal with Atlanta has to cross another hurdle or two before it becomes official, the shortstop's options are becoming narrower by the day. The Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays are now out of the running for Furcal, and Kinzer said the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only other possibility remaining.

"I still haven't talked to the Dodgers,'' Kinzer said. "I'll let them know in person if [Furcal] makes a decision.''

Kinzer confirmed that the Braves have talked to Furcal about the possibiliy of shifting from shortstop to second base, a move that could result in the shift of second baseman Kelly Johnson to left field. Yunel Escobar, Atlanta's starting shortstop in 2008, had been mentioned recently as a candidate to go to San Diego in a package deal for pitcher Jake Peavy.

Furcal spent the past three seasons with the Dodgers, but played in only 36 games last season due to back issues.

A career .286 hitter, Furcal, 31, has missed 150 games over the past two seasons but makes an impact when he does play. He batted .357, with a .439 on-base percentage, in 36 games for the Dodgers last season, after hitting .270 with 25 steals in 2007.

Jerry Crasnick covers Major League Baseball for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3772806

[warthog]

Furcal took less to be a Brave. Oakland offered him 4 years, 40 million. I don't think anyone except Atlanta had a chance. That's OK, he was kind of a risk anyways. Go after another starting pitcher, a 1, 2, or 3 guy, thats what the Royals need.

[ryno]

I understand you don't want to be pessimistic, but do any of the Royals fans here think a big name is coming to KC? As a fan, I think the sport is better when more teams compete and think we need a salary cap but I'm also realistic. Teams like the Royals generally have to overpay to bring in the second tier free agents.

Why would Lowe go to Kansas City when he can get at least the same amount of money in LA, New York or Boston.