Dutton: Glass promises another increase in payroll
Glass plans to increase team payroll
Owner expects to spend more than $50 million in salaries, which would set a franchise record. By BOB DUTTON The Kansas City Star CLEVELAND | Royals owner David Glass, saying he is optimistic and encouraged by the club’s play in recent weeks, is pledging a payroll increase into the low-$50 million range for 2007. “I’m encouraged,” he said, “and I love the attitude. There is an air of optimism around here, throughout the whole organization, top to bottom, that we haven’t had. And I love that.” The Royals are 38-43 since bottoming out at 16-47 on June 13 and are 15-9 since Aug. 2 against teams occupying either first or second place in a division race or the wild-card chase. “My friends on other teams call me and complain about how tough we’re being on them,” Glass said. “They’re trying to win. It just tickles me to death.” Glass said general manager Dayton Moore will have $50 million-$55 million to spend on next season’s big-league payroll. That would be a franchise record but only a modest increase over this year’s $47.3 million. Just four other teams began this season with payrolls of less than $56 million. “If we played really well and have the opportunity to significantly improve ourselves,” Glass said, “I’m always willing to do something more. But I’ve told Dayton $50-55 million. In that range.” That figures to leave Moore and his staff with some hard decisions. The Royals already have seven players under contract next season for $30.95 million, which leaves roughly $19 million-$24 million in spendable payroll for the 18 remaining roster positions. The club also faces at least five and perhaps as many as seven arbitration cases, including outfielder Emil Brown, starting pitcher Runelvys Hernandez and reliever Jimmy Gobble. “We’ll be able to do what we need to do that makes sense for us,” Moore predicted. “We’ve just got to continue to look for ways to improve our team. “We’ve played a lot more consistent baseball in the second half of the season. Everybody recognizes that. Our players recognize that. I’m excited about the momentum we have.” Glass admits that he’s closely “tracking” Class AA Wichita, where several of the organization’s top prospects are currently playing in the Texas League championship series. “You’ve got about five guys over there who are going to be major-league players who will help us,” he said. “You put them alongside (David) DeJesus, (Mark) Teahen and Ryan Shealy, and you see reason for optimism.” Even so, Moore dismisses any suggestion that casts next season as a transition year to a future built around such prospects as third baseman Alex Gordon, outfielder Billy Butler and pitchers Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar and Tyler Lumsden. It appears Moore wants to do more than just browse through the free-agent market. “We’re not conceding anything,” Moore said. “This isn’t something where next year we’re saying we’ll just play .500. We’re not going to do that. “We’re going to put the best team we can on the field. I don’t want to go nuts and lose all of our draft picks (in free-agent compensation), but …” -------------------------------------------------------------------- Recent Royals payrolls Year Payroll 1988 $11.6 million 1989 $15.4 million 1990 $23.9 million 1991 $28.7 million 1992 $33.6 million 1993 $40.1 million 1994 $40.5 million 1995 $27.6 million 1996 $18.5 million 1997 $31.2 million 1998 $32.9 million 1999 $16.5 million 2000 $23.1 million 2001 $35.4 million 2002 $47.3 million 2003 $40.5 million 2004 $47.6 million 2005 $36.9 million 2006 $47.3 million 2007 $50-55 million* *projected. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2007 guaranteed salaries ($30.95 million for seven players) •DH Mike Sweeney: $11 million •OF Reggie Sanders: $5 million •RHP Scott Elarton: $4 million •2B Mark Grudzielanek: $4 million •SS Angel Berroa: $3.25million •OF David DeJesus: $2 million (if a super-two, otherwise $600,000) •LHP Odalis Perez: $1.7 million (of $7.75 million base salary) Arbitration- eligible players •RHP Adam Bernero •OF Emil Brown •RHP Brandon Duckworth •LHP Jimmy Gobble (possible super-two) •RHP Runelvys Hernandez •RHP Todd Wellemeyer •RHP Mike Wood (possible super-two) |
That is great news and hopefully Moore will have more success than Baird in selling FA to come to KC. Moore has jump started the franshise.
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Except for maybe Wood, all those arbitration players could clean out their lockers and we wouldn't be any worse for the wear.
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First thing he needs to do is dump Sweeney as quick as can be. The guy has not delivered on his contract and will not deliver. Open that extra 11 million or whatever you can go pro-rated and move away from his injury having butt.
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what is a 'super two' player?? I haven't kept up with baseball 'financial' stuff in a long time...
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If it's guranteed then still dump him immediately. At least that would open a roster spot for a player that might actually be able to play baseball instead of taking up residence in the training room.
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