Royals close to dealing Santiago - Page 2

tk13 · 12-13-2004, 04:21 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10402479.htm

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.

Eleazar · 12-13-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Hell, watching Sammy play OF will make you long for Mike Tucker

Well... I dont know if anything could make me do that... how about long for Abaham Nunez?

Pitt Gorilla · 12-13-2004, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I wonder who boy blunder will deal next

Boy blunder? Did I miss something? Baird has done a good job in trades the last few years. Perez was the only "blunder" in trades that I can remember. Sweeny's contract does suck, though.

shakesthecat · 12-13-2004, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

SPPT!

Nice.
Your laziness is inspiring.

I like the trade, but does Baird know for certain this Nunez kid isn't really 28.

nychief · 12-13-2004, 12:30 PM

getting anything for that bag of bones, Santiago, is a good thing.

tk13 · 12-13-2004, 04:09 PM

Well, as for the Rule V draft, the Royals did take Andy Sisco from the Cubs organization. Now we have to keep him on the roster all season... I guess we're going to have a 6'9" lefty in then bullpen. Aaron Guiel and that reliever, Santiago Ramirez, were not drafted so we got to hang on to both of them too...

tk13 · 12-13-2004, 04:11 PM

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NAS...s_kc&fext=.jsp

Royals take chance on Sisco
Tall lefty was second-round pick of Cubs in 2002
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Allard Baird would have liked to leave the 2004 Winter Meetings with a little more than the potential for trades in the rearview mirror. But the Royals' general manager still was satisfied with the weekend of inactivity ending on an upswing during Monday's Rule 5 Draft at the Marriott.

With the second overall pick in the Major League portion, the Royals selected left-handed pitcher Andrew Sisco from the Class A Daytona roster of the Chicago Cubs. A 6-foot-9, 260-pound native of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Sisco was Baseball America's 2002 Short Season Class A Player of the Year when he finished 7-2 with 101 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings for Boise, along with a 2.43 ERA.

In four minor league seasons, the Cubs' second-round pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft posted an 18-20 record with a 3.71 ERA. He has fanned 365 over 332 innings, walking 145 and allowing just 281 hits. Sisco, who finished 4-10 with a 4.21 ERA and 65 walks in 126 innings for Daytona last season, brings the Royals' 40-man roster to 40 players.

"He's obviously a strong-bodied left-handed pitcher," said Baird of Sisco, who struck out 134 in 2004. "His fastball gets up to around 95 mph, but he's still a little inconsistent with the slider at this point."

The plan for Sisco is to bring him into Kansas City within the next week to 10 days and go over his strength and conditioning program, as well as his offseason pitching program. He will then work with Royals pitching coach Guy Hansen, attend Kansas City's minicamp, and go into Spring Training to compete for a job out of the bullpen.

"I think his stuff will play a tick better out of the bullpen, and he has a better chance to help us immediately," Baird said. "We can just have him come out of the bullpen and blow, so to speak, instead of worrying about the stamina of his stuff over six, seven or eight innings."

tk13 · 12-13-2004, 05:46 PM

I didn't want to make a whole new thread because it didn't deserve it, but the White Sox just traded Carlos Lee to the Brewers for Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino... interesting move, as much as I like a good base-stealer like Podsednik, Carlos Lee (and all their other big bats) always killed the Royals.

KevB · 12-13-2004, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

I didn't want to make a whole new thread because it didn't deserve it, but the White Sox just traded Carlos Lee to the Brewers for Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino... interesting move, as much as I like a good base-stealer like Podsednik, Carlos Lee (and all their other big bats) always killed the Royals.

I'm not sure what the Sox are doing. They're apparently not going to bring back Ordonez, then they trade Lee. Their OF next season is Podsednik, Rowand and Dye. Huh? I suppose they're going to go after pitching, but I already like their team less than last year.

**Bowser** · 12-13-2004, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

I didn't want to make a whole new thread because it didn't deserve it, but the White Sox just traded Carlos Lee to the Brewers for Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino... interesting move, as much as I like a good base-stealer like Podsednik, Carlos Lee (and all their other big bats) always killed the Royals.

Vizcaino will look like Bonds' twin brother after an entire offseason in the White Sox "training" program.

Pitt Gorilla · 12-13-2004, 06:32 PM

I'm glad we didn't lose the releiver; we need to keep our pitching. Losing Guiel wouldn't have mattered much.

BigChiefFan · 12-13-2004, 06:34 PM

The Royals need some help. Next year could be even worse. Ughh, I hope not.

nychief · 12-13-2004, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Well, as for the Rule V draft, the Royals did take Andy Sisco from the Cubs organization. Now we have to keep him on the roster all season... I guess we're going to have a 6'9" lefty in then bullpen. Aaron Guiel and that reliever, Santiago Ramirez, were not drafted so we got to hang on to both of them too...

mr. mop-up: ANDY SISCO!

Jenson71 · 12-13-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevB

I'm not sure what the Sox are doing. They're apparently not going to bring back Ordonez, then they trade Lee. Their OF next season is Podsednik, Rowand and Dye. Huh? I suppose they're going to go after pitching, but I already like their team less than last year.

Can the WSox even compete money-wise with teams like the Mets for Ordonez?

Demonpenz · 12-13-2004, 06:46 PM

the chiefs brought in kevin mcreynalds for a workout.

**Dave Lane** · 12-13-2004, 07:17 PM

Crap I'd trade him fro a baloney sandwich and I hate baloney.

Dave

12-13-2004, 04:21 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1582500	Royals close to dealing Santiago http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10402479.htm 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.
Posts: 55,031

12-13-2004, 12:30 PM	#19
nychief MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NYC Casino cash: $6869466	getting anything for that bag of bones, Santiago, is a good thing. __________________ Good Time Charlie, Uncle Doobie and the Great Frisco Freakout.
Posts: 7,894

12-13-2004, 04:09 PM	#20
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1582500	Well, as for the Rule V draft, the Royals did take Andy Sisco from the Cubs organization. Now we have to keep him on the roster all season... I guess we're going to have a 6'9" lefty in then bullpen. Aaron Guiel and that reliever, Santiago Ramirez, were not drafted so we got to hang on to both of them too...
Posts: 55,031

12-13-2004, 04:11 PM	#21
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1582500	http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NAS...s_kc&fext=.jsp Royals take chance on Sisco Tall lefty was second-round pick of Cubs in 2002 By Scott Merkin / MLB.com ANAHEIM -- Allard Baird would have liked to leave the 2004 Winter Meetings with a little more than the potential for trades in the rearview mirror. But the Royals' general manager still was satisfied with the weekend of inactivity ending on an upswing during Monday's Rule 5 Draft at the Marriott. With the second overall pick in the Major League portion, the Royals selected left-handed pitcher Andrew Sisco from the Class A Daytona roster of the Chicago Cubs. A 6-foot-9, 260-pound native of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Sisco was Baseball America's 2002 Short Season Class A Player of the Year when he finished 7-2 with 101 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings for Boise, along with a 2.43 ERA. In four minor league seasons, the Cubs' second-round pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft posted an 18-20 record with a 3.71 ERA. He has fanned 365 over 332 innings, walking 145 and allowing just 281 hits. Sisco, who finished 4-10 with a 4.21 ERA and 65 walks in 126 innings for Daytona last season, brings the Royals' 40-man roster to 40 players. "He's obviously a strong-bodied left-handed pitcher," said Baird of Sisco, who struck out 134 in 2004. "His fastball gets up to around 95 mph, but he's still a little inconsistent with the slider at this point." The plan for Sisco is to bring him into Kansas City within the next week to 10 days and go over his strength and conditioning program, as well as his offseason pitching program. He will then work with Royals pitching coach Guy Hansen, attend Kansas City's minicamp, and go into Spring Training to compete for a job out of the bullpen. "I think his stuff will play a tick better out of the bullpen, and he has a better chance to help us immediately," Baird said. "We can just have him come out of the bullpen and blow, so to speak, instead of worrying about the stamina of his stuff over six, seven or eight innings."
Posts: 55,031

12-13-2004, 05:46 PM	#22
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1582500	I didn't want to make a whole new thread because it didn't deserve it, but the White Sox just traded Carlos Lee to the Brewers for Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino... interesting move, as much as I like a good base-stealer like Podsednik, Carlos Lee (and all their other big bats) always killed the Royals.
Posts: 55,031

12-13-2004, 06:32 PM	#25
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2590194	I'm glad we didn't lose the releiver; we need to keep our pitching. Losing Guiel wouldn't have mattered much. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,207

12-13-2004, 06:34 PM	#26
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	The Royals need some help. Next year could be even worse. Ughh, I hope not. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

12-13-2004, 06:46 PM	#29
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2812136	the chiefs brought in kevin mcreynalds for a workout. __________________
Posts: 54,327

12-13-2004, 07:17 PM	#30
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Crap I'd trade him fro a baloney sandwich and I hate baloney. Dave __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584