Royals with a MAJOR SIGNING!!!!!

Dr. Johnny Fever · 02-25-2005, 11:38 AM

Jeezuz Christ........

Febles rejoins Royals
Long-term plan is for him to coach in the organization
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com

The Royals plan to send Carlos Febles to various minor league clubs to instruct players. (Ed Zurga/AP)

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- One half of Dos Carlos is back with the Royals.
Second baseman Carlos Febles was signed to a two-year Triple-A contract Thursday. However, he will not be able to play this year because he will soon undergo knee surgery after being injured in winter ball.

When Febles and center fielder Carlos Beltran were rookies in 1999, they became known as "Dos Carlos," a twosome with tremendous potential. At that time, no one could be certain who would be the bigger star.

While Beltran made steady progress on his way to his current seven-year, $119-million contact with the New York Mets, Febles was dogged by injuries and was on the Royals' disabled list six times. In his six years with the Royals, he batted .250 in 506 games.

Febles, 28, wants to continue his playing career but general manager Allard Baird's long-term plan is to make him a coach in the organization.

"It's an investment into a player staying in the organization," Baird said. "I think he's going to be an excellent coach or a manager down the road."

Febles, who has a bubbly personality, was contacted by Baird and Royals president Dan Glass during a January visit to the Dominican Republic. Febles met with them at the Royals Baseball Academy in Salcedo where his career began with a .330 average in 1994.

The Royals like his communication skills and, while he rehabilitates this summer, they plan to send him to various minor league clubs to instruct players, especially Latin Americans. Baird said Febles also will visit Kansas City periodically.

"I feel good about it," Febles said. "They told me one day you can be a coach -- the door is open. I was shocked. I wasn't expecting that."

After being sent to Triple-A Omaha late in the 2003 season, Febles signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. Last year a shoulder injury limited him to 68 games with Triple-A Pawtucket. He batted .257 and was released.

"My heart is baseball, I love baseball. I want to be around baseball the rest of my life," Febles said.

"I want to keep playing and coach some day. And why not with Kansas City? My heart is still in Kansas City. I spent 10 years with Kansas City."

Febles was playing for La Romana in the Dominican League on Dec. 18 when, while running toward first base, he leaped to the bag and tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

"It was ugly. I don't even want to talk about it sometimes," he said. "Julio Franco was playing first base and he just ran to the dugout. He didn't want to see it."

His chances of returning to the Major Leagues this year were gone.

"He was born into this organization," Baird said, "and it's a situation of helping a guy when he's down and out. He's a quality person and he's going to be an outstanding teacher someday, too."

02-25-2005, 11:38 AM	Topic Starter
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Royals with a MAJOR SIGNING!!!!! Jeezuz Christ........ Febles rejoins Royals Long-term plan is for him to coach in the organization By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com The Royals plan to send Carlos Febles to various minor league clubs to instruct players. (Ed Zurga/AP) SURPRISE, Ariz. -- One half of Dos Carlos is back with the Royals. Second baseman Carlos Febles was signed to a two-year Triple-A contract Thursday. However, he will not be able to play this year because he will soon undergo knee surgery after being injured in winter ball. When Febles and center fielder Carlos Beltran were rookies in 1999, they became known as "Dos Carlos," a twosome with tremendous potential. At that time, no one could be certain who would be the bigger star. While Beltran made steady progress on his way to his current seven-year, $119-million contact with the New York Mets, Febles was dogged by injuries and was on the Royals' disabled list six times. In his six years with the Royals, he batted .250 in 506 games. Febles, 28, wants to continue his playing career but general manager Allard Baird's long-term plan is to make him a coach in the organization. "It's an investment into a player staying in the organization," Baird said. "I think he's going to be an excellent coach or a manager down the road." Febles, who has a bubbly personality, was contacted by Baird and Royals president Dan Glass during a January visit to the Dominican Republic. Febles met with them at the Royals Baseball Academy in Salcedo where his career began with a .330 average in 1994. The Royals like his communication skills and, while he rehabilitates this summer, they plan to send him to various minor league clubs to instruct players, especially Latin Americans. Baird said Febles also will visit Kansas City periodically. "I feel good about it," Febles said. "They told me one day you can be a coach -- the door is open. I was shocked. I wasn't expecting that." After being sent to Triple-A Omaha late in the 2003 season, Febles signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. Last year a shoulder injury limited him to 68 games with Triple-A Pawtucket. He batted .257 and was released. "My heart is baseball, I love baseball. I want to be around baseball the rest of my life," Febles said. "I want to keep playing and coach some day. And why not with Kansas City? My heart is still in Kansas City. I spent 10 years with Kansas City." Febles was playing for La Romana in the Dominican League on Dec. 18 when, while running toward first base, he leaped to the bag and tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. "It was ugly. I don't even want to talk about it sometimes," he said. "Julio Franco was playing first base and he just ran to the dugout. He didn't want to see it." His chances of returning to the Major Leagues this year were gone. "He was born into this organization," Baird said, "and it's a situation of helping a guy when he's down and out. He's a quality person and he's going to be an outstanding teacher someday, too."
Posts: 34,865