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Royals close to dealing Santiago

KC would get pitcher in trade with Pirates

By BOB DUTTON The Kansas City Star

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Royals were near a trade Sunday in which veteran catcher Benito Santiago would go to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor-league pitcher Leo Nuñez.

Royals general manager Allard Baird confirmed the two sides were talking but said no agreement had been reached. Pittsburgh club officials also confirmed serious discussions.

The proposed trade seems to hinge on Santiago, 39, passing a physical later this week in Pittsburgh. Sources said the Royals have also agreed to pay about $1.4 million of Santiago's $2.15 million salary for 2005.

Santiago batted .274 last season with six homers and 23 RBIs in 49 games before suffering a season-ending hand injury June 18 when he was hit in the left hand by a pitch from Philadelphia's Geoff Geary.

The Baseball America 2004 Prospect Handbook said Nuñez, a right-hander, possesses a “live arm and a plus-plus fastball” that routinely reaches 95 mph.

He projects as a reliever because of his size — 6 feet 1 and 150 pounds — but he has been used primarily as a starter in five pro seasons since being signed by the Pirates as a non-drafted free agent.

Nuñez, 21, was 10-4 with a 3.06 ERA last season as a swingman at Class A Hickory with 140 strikeouts and 46 walks in 144 innings. He is 27-15 with a 3.36 ERA in his pro career with 387 strikeouts and 116 walks in 434 innings.

Santiago, a 19-year veteran, is linked to baseball's steroid scandal through his testimony before a federal grand jury when he allegedly admitted, under immunity, to using banned substances.

The Royals projected Santiago as John Buck's backup in 2005. Veteran Alberto Castillo probably would inherit that role if Santiago is traded. Castillo, 34, signed a minor-league contract in November after batting .270 last season in 29 games.

Rule 5 draft

The Royals are targeting 6-9 left-hander Andy Sisco from the Chicago Cubs as their preferred choice today in the Rule 5 draft at baseball's winter meetings.

Sisco, 21, was the Cubs' second-round pick in the 2001 draft. He was 4-10 with a 4.21 ERA as a starter last season at Class A Daytona but is viewed by the Royals as a setup reliever.

The Royals have the No. 2 pick in the draft but could choose first if Arizona fails to clear roster space. The Diamondbacks have the first pick but have no available room on their 40-man roster.

Sisco had 134 strikeouts and 65 walks in 126 innings last season at Daytona. He is 18-20 with a 3.71 ERA in four professional seasons.

Players are eligible for the Rule 5 draft if left unprotected on their team's 40-man roster and if they have at least three years of professional service (four years if age 18 or younger when initially signed).

Teams pay $50,000 to acquire the player, who must remain on his new team's big-league roster for the entire season or be offered back to his former team for $25,000.

The Royals anticipate losing at least two players.

Colorado has indicated strong interest in outfielder Aaron Guiel, who missed much of last season because of vision problems. Several teams are considering reliever Santiago Ramirez, whom the Royals signed in November to a minor-league deal, after eight seasons in the Houston organization.

Sosa buzz

The rumor that Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa might somehow end up with the Royals just won't die, though the Nationals are emerging as a more likely destination.

Word is the Cubs are so disenchanted with Sosa that they are willing to eat an enormous portion of his remaining contract — $17 million next season and a guaranteed $18 million in 2006 if traded.

Royals officials say privately they are willing to accept Sosa at the right price but insist they won't surrender any of their young, core players or top prospects in such a deal.

Gammons selected

ESPN baseball reporter Peter Gammons was elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America for induction into the Hall of Fame as the 2005 winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award.

Gammons spent much of the last 35 years as a reporter for The Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated before joining ESPN.

Etc.

• The Devil Rays acquired catcher Kevin Cash from the Blue Jays for right-hander Chad Gaudin.

• The Diamondbacks signed infielder Royce Clayton to a one-year deal for $1.3 million. Clayton, 34, batted .279 with eight homers and 54 RBIs last season for the Rockies.

• The Blue Jays are close to signing third baseman Corey Koskie to a three-year deal for $17 million. The Twins are already considering Joe Randa as a possible replacement for Koskie.

• The Devil Rays appear close to a deal for outfielder Juan Gonzalez.

• The Mets have made offers for first baseman Carlos Delgado and outfielder Moises Alou.

• The Mariners have countered third baseman Adrian Beltre's demand of a seven-year contract for $90 million by offering $62 million over five years.

• The Dodgers are offering right-hander Matt Clement a three-year deal for $21 million.

• The Tigers are stepping up their pursuit of shortstop Edgar Renteria, whose talks with the Red Sox failed to reach an agreement.

• The Rangers are trying to swing a deal with the Rockies to acquire right-hander Shawn Chacon.