tk13
03-27-2005, 01:12 AM
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/baseball/mlb/kansas_city_royals/11239776.htm
Royals' roster almost settled
Gotay, Teahen likely to get starting jobs
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Look for rookies Ruben Gotay and Mark Teahen in the Royals' infield when they open the 2005 season April 4 at Detroit.
The club firmed up its roster Saturday morning by shuttling six players to minor-league camp and moved closer to decisions on several of the spring's competitive issues.
“The direction of the club has the greatest say in determining who is going to play,” general manager Allard Baird said. “We want our position players and pitchers to come up in unison, but we also have to believe they are mentally ready to handle the big leagues and develop the way we expect them to.”
Baird left no doubt that he considers Gotay, 22, and Teahen, 23, ready to make the jump to full-time duty at second base and third base.
“We're pretty pleased with both of those guys in terms of their approach,” he said. “With Gotay, you look at what he's done performance-wise. That's what stands out for everyone. But we're also looking at how he's developed here defensively and how he's improved his offensive approach.
“Teahen came into this clubhouse like any young player in camp for the first time. He has handled himself with quiet class. To me, that's a good indicator.”
The six official moves Saturday consisted of optioning right-hander Ambiorix Burgos to Class AA Wichita and reassigning five players to minor-league camp: right-handers Ryan Jensen, Justin Huisman and Santiago Ramirez, infielder Luis Ugueto and outfielder Matt Diaz.
The moves leave 38 players in camp, although three players are expected to begin the season on the disabled list: infielder Chris Clapinski, right-hander Scott Sullivan and third baseman Chris Truby.
Baird said the club will reduce its roster to the 25-man limit “without a doubt” before breaking camp after Thursday's game against the Rangers.
The decision to start Gotay relegates veteran Tony Graffanino, 32, to a utility role as he works to regain strength in his right shoulder and recover from a sprained left ankle.
Club officials met Saturday with Graffanino, who said Friday that he deserved to retain his job as the starting second baseman if he could demonstrate he is healthy in the final few days of camp.
“We don't see him being ready to play on an everyday basis,” Baird said, “even though he expects to be ready. We'll have to still wait and see whether he'll be able to go in a utility role at the start.”
Gotay batted .270 in 44 games last season as a rookie and has been the club's most-productive hitter in spring training, batting .344 with six homers and 17 RBIs. Teahen has never played in the majors and is batting .353 this spring with one homer and seven RBIs.
Neither Gotay nor Teahen has officially won a starting job.
“There are a lot of rumors,” Gotay said, “but I don't pay attention to that. I'm just trying to finish strong.”
Here's how the roster shapes up in other areas:
• Rotation: Jose Lima will start the season opener, and it appears Runelvys Hernandez and Zack Greinke will occupy the second and third slots. Lefty Brian Anderson will have a job but is likely to be skipped the first time because of an open date in the schedule. Denny Bautista is a heavy favorite for the final spot, particularly after Jimmy Gobble's poor outing Saturday against the Mariners. Mike Wood is an outside possibility.
• Bullpen: Jeremy Affeldt will be the closer, and setup jobs are virtual locks for Shawn Camp, Nate Field and Mike MacDougal. Lefty Andrew Sisco has shown enough to win a job even if he wasn't a Rule 5 acquisition. Wood will be the swingman if he isn't in the rotation. That leaves Kyle Snyder as the odd man out despite a terrific spring unless the club opts to send inconsistent lefty Jaime Cerda to the minors.
• Catcher: John Buck is set as the starter with veteran Alberto Castillo as the backup.
• Infield: First baseman Mike Sweeney and shortstop Angel Berroa will join Gotay and Teahen as starters with Graffanino in reserve. The camplong battle between Calvin Pickering and Ken Harvey for a first base/DH role remains unresolved.
• Outfield: Terrence Long and Eli Marrero are ticketed for platoon duty in left field with David DeJesus in center. Veteran Matt Stairs will play a variety of roles. That leaves one job in right field, where Emil Brown has positioned himself as a heavy favorite over Abraham Nuñez and Aaron Guiel.
Royals' roster almost settled
Gotay, Teahen likely to get starting jobs
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Look for rookies Ruben Gotay and Mark Teahen in the Royals' infield when they open the 2005 season April 4 at Detroit.
The club firmed up its roster Saturday morning by shuttling six players to minor-league camp and moved closer to decisions on several of the spring's competitive issues.
“The direction of the club has the greatest say in determining who is going to play,” general manager Allard Baird said. “We want our position players and pitchers to come up in unison, but we also have to believe they are mentally ready to handle the big leagues and develop the way we expect them to.”
Baird left no doubt that he considers Gotay, 22, and Teahen, 23, ready to make the jump to full-time duty at second base and third base.
“We're pretty pleased with both of those guys in terms of their approach,” he said. “With Gotay, you look at what he's done performance-wise. That's what stands out for everyone. But we're also looking at how he's developed here defensively and how he's improved his offensive approach.
“Teahen came into this clubhouse like any young player in camp for the first time. He has handled himself with quiet class. To me, that's a good indicator.”
The six official moves Saturday consisted of optioning right-hander Ambiorix Burgos to Class AA Wichita and reassigning five players to minor-league camp: right-handers Ryan Jensen, Justin Huisman and Santiago Ramirez, infielder Luis Ugueto and outfielder Matt Diaz.
The moves leave 38 players in camp, although three players are expected to begin the season on the disabled list: infielder Chris Clapinski, right-hander Scott Sullivan and third baseman Chris Truby.
Baird said the club will reduce its roster to the 25-man limit “without a doubt” before breaking camp after Thursday's game against the Rangers.
The decision to start Gotay relegates veteran Tony Graffanino, 32, to a utility role as he works to regain strength in his right shoulder and recover from a sprained left ankle.
Club officials met Saturday with Graffanino, who said Friday that he deserved to retain his job as the starting second baseman if he could demonstrate he is healthy in the final few days of camp.
“We don't see him being ready to play on an everyday basis,” Baird said, “even though he expects to be ready. We'll have to still wait and see whether he'll be able to go in a utility role at the start.”
Gotay batted .270 in 44 games last season as a rookie and has been the club's most-productive hitter in spring training, batting .344 with six homers and 17 RBIs. Teahen has never played in the majors and is batting .353 this spring with one homer and seven RBIs.
Neither Gotay nor Teahen has officially won a starting job.
“There are a lot of rumors,” Gotay said, “but I don't pay attention to that. I'm just trying to finish strong.”
Here's how the roster shapes up in other areas:
• Rotation: Jose Lima will start the season opener, and it appears Runelvys Hernandez and Zack Greinke will occupy the second and third slots. Lefty Brian Anderson will have a job but is likely to be skipped the first time because of an open date in the schedule. Denny Bautista is a heavy favorite for the final spot, particularly after Jimmy Gobble's poor outing Saturday against the Mariners. Mike Wood is an outside possibility.
• Bullpen: Jeremy Affeldt will be the closer, and setup jobs are virtual locks for Shawn Camp, Nate Field and Mike MacDougal. Lefty Andrew Sisco has shown enough to win a job even if he wasn't a Rule 5 acquisition. Wood will be the swingman if he isn't in the rotation. That leaves Kyle Snyder as the odd man out despite a terrific spring unless the club opts to send inconsistent lefty Jaime Cerda to the minors.
• Catcher: John Buck is set as the starter with veteran Alberto Castillo as the backup.
• Infield: First baseman Mike Sweeney and shortstop Angel Berroa will join Gotay and Teahen as starters with Graffanino in reserve. The camplong battle between Calvin Pickering and Ken Harvey for a first base/DH role remains unresolved.
• Outfield: Terrence Long and Eli Marrero are ticketed for platoon duty in left field with David DeJesus in center. Veteran Matt Stairs will play a variety of roles. That leaves one job in right field, where Emil Brown has positioned himself as a heavy favorite over Abraham Nuñez and Aaron Guiel.