Wichita Eagle: Kansas City Royals

Gordon close to deal with Royals

BOB DUTTON — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:51 CST

The Royals appear close to an agreement with left fielder Alex Gordon on a one-year contract that would eliminate the need for a Feb. 16 arbitration hearing in Tampa, Fla.

Gordon, who turns 28 on Friday, filed an arbitration request for $5.45 million, while the club countered at $4.15 million. Gordon made $1.4 million last season when he produced a breakout offensive season and won a Gold Glove for defensive excellence.

Major League labor rules permit the two sides to reach a negotiated settlement until an arbitration ruling is announced. The arbitrator must select one of the two submitted figures.

Lawsuit alleges George Brett falsely advertises necklaces

RYAN J. FOLEY — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:19 CST

Lawyers are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit that claims Hall of Fame slugger George Brett has been falsely advertising necklaces and bracelets as being able to help improve health and sports performance.

A lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Des Moines claims Spokane Valley, Wash.-based Brett Bros. Sports International, Inc. has falsely claimed its Ionic Necklaces help customers relieve pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, recover from sports fatigue and improve focus. The company has also falsely claimed its bracelets, which include two roller magnets, would relieve wrist, hand and elbow pain, the lawsuit said.

Brett, who was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1999 after a 21-year career with the Kansas City Royals, has been president of the company since 2001 and appears in its advertisements.

Fielder’s arrival could spell trouble for Royals

RUSTIN DODD — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:31 CST

It’s now been seven days and counting since the Detroit Tigers shook up the American League by agreeing to a nine-year deal, $214 million deal with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.

The mega-contract for the former Brewers slugger came nearly a week after the Tigers lost designated hitter Victor Martinez to a season-ending knee injury. And if there was any doubt before, the addition of Fielder made things quite clear: Detroit will be favored to win the AL Central for a second straight year.

This, of course, is not good news for the Royals, who had emerged during the offseason as a 2012 sleeper after a solid finish in 2011. Still, general manager Dayton Moore says, the Royals won’t make any reactionary moves.

Royals' Butler reminisces on time in Wichita

Taylor Eldridge — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:41 CST

The drive down to Wichita for the latest stop in the weeklong Royals Caravan didn’t include a pass of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Long before Billy Butler became the headliner for such events, he was toiling in the minor leagues as a Wichita Wrangler. He still remembers Lawrence-Dumont fondly and the 2006 Wranglers squad — the team has since moved to Springdale, Ark. —remains his favorite.

It included future Royals in Alex Gordon, Mitch Maier and Billy Buckner, as well as brief stints by former Royals Mike Sweeney and Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke. The Wranglers rewrote much of the history books for offensive stats in the Texas League that season.

Royals sign lefty to fill bullpen role

RUSTIN DODD — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:05 CST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The Royals crossed another item off their offseason checklist on Wednesday, signing left-handed reliever Jose Mijares to a one-year deal worth $925,000.

The announcement came one day after the club spent $2 million to re-acquire veteran infielder Yuniesky Betancourt to fill a utility role. And with the 40-man roster now full, it could potentially be the last significant addition of the offseason.

The Royals, along with their other offseason needs, had been searching for another left-handed solution in their bullpen, and Mijares, who spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Twins, will likely serve as a situation lefty.

KC Royals bring back Betancourt in utility role

RUSTIN DODD — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:10 CST

For the better part of the offseason, Royals general manager Dayton Moore articulated the club's need for a veteran utility infielder. The Royals, Moore said, needed someone to back up Alcides Escobar. They coveted a right-handed bat to spell Mike Moustakas against tough left-handed pitching. And they desired a measure of insurance against the possibility of injury.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Royals unveiled their man: Former Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

(What? You were expecting someone else?)

Royals aren't going to back away from high expectations

BOB DUTTON — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:04 CST

DALLAS — Royals manager Ned Yost is ready to up the ante as he looks ahead to next season. The patience required in the nurturing stage of a rebuilding program will now increasingly yield to demands stemming from heightened expectations.

And Yost is setting the bar high.

"Playing .500 has never entered my mind," he said in dismissing what would represent a 10-victory improvement and a level achieved only once by the Royals since 1994. "I think we're going to play much better than .500.

Frank White out of Royals TV broadcasting booth

RUSTIN DODD — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:04 CST

Frank White, the Royals Hall of Fame second baseman, will no longer take part in Royals television broadcasts during the upcoming season in 2012. The Royals and Fox Sports Kansas City announced today that White's contract would not be renewed for 2012. In addition, the contract of producer Kevin Shank was also not renewed.

“Fox Sports Kansas City and the Kansas City Royals appreciate Frank White stepping into a larger role as game analyst the last three seasons," the Royals and FSKC said in a statement. "He shifted from a planned part-time role to a near full-time role and performed admirably in the booth at a time of need."

White, a Kansas City native who won eight Gold Gloves and helped the Royals to the 1985 World Series championship, began working in a more full-time television role in 2009 after former broadcaster Paul Splittorff, who died this year, began suffering health issues. White continued to work in the booth for the following three seasons.

Royals agree to deal with reliever Broxton

RUSTIN DODD — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:20 CST

If you can’t totally reinforce your weaknesses, you might as well find ways to fortify your strengths.

That appeared to be the Royals' motive on Tuesday as the club agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, pending a physical. The contract is believed to be worth $4 million with an added $1 million in incentives.

“We are delighted to add someone as talented as Jonathan to our bullpen,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a statement. “He will be used in a setup role to closer Joakim Soria and will help solidify what we feel is a young and talented bullpen.”

Royals, Chen close in on two-year deal

BOB DUTTON — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:31 CST

All signs point to the Royals retaining veteran left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen on a two-year contract for a guaranteed $9 million.

Club officials said no agreement was in place as of Wednesday night but acknowledged the two sides are close to a deal. The need for a routine physical could delay the formal announcement until early next week.

"We're getting close," general manager Dayton Moore said, "but it's not done yet. I know he wants to be here, and we want him here. The feeling is mutual."

Sanchez says trade to Royals no surprise

BOB DUTTON — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:05 CST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The way left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez views it, when looking over his shoulder, the trade that sent him to the Royals earlier this week from the San Francisco Giants was just a matter of time.

"I saw it coming," he said during a pause in his physical examination Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. "It's been that way since I got to the big leagues in 2006. They wanted to trade me. Every year, it was the same thing....

"My name kept coming up every trading deadline. It never happened. It did now."

Royals beefs up rotation with Sanchez

BOB DUTTON — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:43 CST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals addressed their biggest off-season need Monday — help for their rotation — by acquiring left-hander Jonathan Sanchez from the San Francisco Giants in a trade for outfielder Melky Cabrera.

"He's a very dynamic left-handed pitcher," general manager Dayton Moore said. "His hit rate is very low, and his strikeout rate is very high. His walks are something we're not overly excited about...

"But he's very young, and he's somebody our scouts feel is a breakout candidate moving forward into 2012."

Royals trade Melky Cabrera to Giants for two pitchers

DAVE SKRETTA — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:12 CST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The Royals traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for left-hander Jonathan Sanchez today, upgrading their starting rotation and clearing the way for hotshot prospect Lorenzo Cain to get a chance in center field.

It was the second significant trade involving a starting pitcher this offseason. The Atlanta Braves shipped Derek Lowe to the Cleveland Indians last week.

The Royals also received Double-A pitcher Ryan Verdugo in the deal.

Gordon chosen KC's player of year

BOB DUTTON — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:09 CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The awards keep coming for Royals left fielder Alex Gordon in recognition of a career-altering breakthrough season.

One day after receiving a Gold Glove for defensive excellence, Gordon was picked as the club's player of the year Wednesday in a vote by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"Throughout the year," he said, "I just took every day at 100 percent on the practice field and in the game. It paid off a little bit. It's a great award to have. The thing is, this year, I felt there were four or five guys who could have won this award."

Royals exercise buyout option, retain Soria

Bob Dutton — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:08 CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Not that there was ever much doubt, but the Royals made it official Monday that they will retain closer Joakim Soria through the 2012 season by choosing not to exercise a buyout option in his contract.

"This decision was more of a formality," general manager Dayton Moore agreed. "Joakim has been an exceptional closer for the last five years.

"For us to put together a strong pitching staff in 2012, it is important that Joakim remain a key component at the back end of the bullpen."

KC picks Eiland to guide pitchers

Associated Press — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:08 CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Royals manager Ned Yost said last month that he wanted to find a new pitching coach who managed to have a long career in the major leagues despite having "mediocre stuff."

He found precisely that in Dave Eiland.

The former Yankees pitching coach was added to Yost's staff Tuesday. He'll be tasked with helping to develop a young starting rotation that was long on talent but too often short on results this season, when the Royals finished 71-91 and 24 games out of first place in the AL Central.

Royals begin search for pitching

BU BOB DUTTON and RUSTIN DODD — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:09 CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Royals general manager Dayton Moore began the offseason Thursday by reaffirming the club's desire to explore every option in attempting to upgrade its starting rotation — and by dismissing pitching coach Bob McClure.

The Royals' starters finished the season with a combined 4.82 ERA — second worst in the American League. That number mostly nullified a young and improved offense, which finished the year sixth in the league with 730 runs scored.

During a season-ending press conference, Moore said the process of bolstering the rotation will begin in-house, but the team will also look to the free-agent market and consider trades that don't jeopardize the organization's long-term plans.

Royals fire McClure, Gibbons from coaching staff

BOB DUTTON and RUSTIN DODD — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:10 CDT

The Royals took their first step toward next season Thursday morning by announcing that pitching coach Bob McClure and bench coach John Gibbons will not return in 2012 on manager Ned Yost’s staff.

The dismissals came roughly 12 hours after the Royals concluded a 71-91 season by losing 1-0 at Minnesota. No replacements were announced.

The four other coaches will be back: hitting coach Kevin Seitzer for his fourth year; infield coach Eddie Rodriguez and bullpen coach Steve Foster for their third year, and outfield/baserunning coach Doug Sisson for his second year.

Royals' hot September ends quietly

BOB DUTTON — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:26 CDT

MINNEAPOLIS — The Royals saw their most encouraging season in years come to an unsatisfying end Wednesday night in a 1-0 walk-off loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Reliever Blake Wood inherited a scoreless game when he began the ninth inning after replacing veteran lefty Bruce Chen, who worked around repeated jams while matching zeroes with Minnesota veteran Carl Pavano.

Wood (5-3) yielded a one-out double to Denard Span, who scored the winning run on Trevor Plouffe's two-out line single to left.

Royals discussing possible trade to send Bruce Chen to Red Sox

BOB DUTTON — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:31 CDT

MINNEAPOLIS | The Royals spent the final day of the regular season Wednesday discussing a possible deal to trade veteran left-hander Bruce Chen to the Boston Red Sox.

Talks between the two clubs, first reported by Fox Sports, were characterized by one club official as "a long shot."

The Red Sox spent recent days shopping for a veteran starter in an effort to stem their late-season freefall.