Royals close to signing Reggie Sanders

[tk13]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5...0813162&ATT=49

Royals close to landing Sanders
Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 3 hours ago

The Royals, continuing their effort to add established veterans, are closing on a two-year deal with free-agent outfielder Reggie Sanders for approximately $10 million, FOXSports.com has learned.

Sanders, 38, is expected to play left field for the Royals, who earlier this week signed first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, right-handed starter Scott Elarton and backup catcher Paul Bako.

Several teams, including the Dodgers, were reluctant to give Sanders a multi-year deal. But the Royals, after losing out to the Cubs for free-agent outfielder Jacque Jones, valued Sanders' leadership as well as his production.

The Royals will be Sanders' eighth team in the past nine seasons. He spent the past two years as a regular with the Cardinals, reaching the World Series in 2004 and National League Championship Series in '05.

Sanders was leading the postseason with 12 RBIs last October when he suffered neck and back injuries after an awkward spill in the outfield in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.

During the regular season, he missed nearly two months after suffering a broken bone in his right leg in a collision with Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds. But for the most part he has been durable, averaging 26 homers over the past five seasons.

A career .267 hitter, Sanders is eight homers short of 300.

[Sure-Oz]

Maybe he'll be trade bait if he produces. its just a stop gap anyway.

[chefsos]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I have his autograph on a baseball.

I lived in Rochester, NY, from 1980-83. The Orioles' AAA team was there for many, many years. Each year, the O's would come to town to play an exhibition with the Red Wings. Before one game, Hendricks was one of several O's to sign my baseball.

Cal Ripken Jr. was with the Red Wings at that time, and I was one person away from getting his autograph when he quit and went into the dugout.

Gonna miss having Elrod around.

That Cal story is kind of ironic, given his "sign 'til ya drop" reputation. Maybe someone gave him shit about leaving too soon, and you're responsible for his solemn vow never to do that again.

[Ultra Peanut]

I'd rather have Sanders than Jones anyway.

Man, **** Jacque Jones. He is shit.

Horrible signing.

Combine that with Juan Pierre, and...

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by chefsos

Gonna miss having Elrod around.

That Cal story is kind of ironic, given his "sign 'til ya drop" reputation. Maybe someone gave him shit about leaving too soon, and you're responsible for his solemn vow never to do that again.

Nah, I'm not saying Cal stiffed me. Time just ran out. I was simply unlucky. Same thing happened to me with Eddie Murray.

But I DID get Tippy Martinez's autograph!

Here's a quick funny story: One of the autographs I got was of Bobby Bonner, a SS prospect. His career was derailed by a bout of hepatitis and the fact he was stuck behind Cal. Had a cup of coffee in the bigs.

Anyway, years later (we're talking about 1990-91), I'm covering a Single A game between Savannah and some other South Atlantic League team. I notice one of the opposing team's coach's is none other than Bob Bonner. After the game, I go to the visitors' lockerroom to do a couple of interviews; on my way out I go up to Bonner and ask "Are you the Bob Bonner who used to be in the Orioles organization, played in Rochester a couple of years?"

He looks up stunned and goes "Yeah!" I said "I've got a baseball at home with your autograph on it."

He gets all wide-eyed and exclaims, "Wow, I'm going to go home and tell my wife that somebody knows me!"

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by shakesthecat

Although I still think he should have been fired after last season, Baird has had a pretty good off season, and hasn't had to give up a single prospect to do it.

I hate you!

Sincerely,

Chris Demaria

[shakesthecat]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I hate you!

Sincerely,

Chris Demaria

I hate you too, Demaria!

Here's some free advice. Next time you get called up to The Show, try not allowing a HR every 3 innings.

[chefsos]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Nah, I'm not saying Cal stiffed me. Time just ran out. I was simply unlucky. Same thing happened to me with Eddie Murray.

But I DID get Tippy Martinez's autograph!

Here's a quick funny story: One of the autographs I got was of Bobby Bonner, a SS prospect. His career was derailed by a bout of hepatitis and the fact he was stuck behind Cal. Had a cup of coffee in the bigs.

Anyway, years later (we're talking about 1990-91), I'm covering a Single A game between Savannah and some other South Atlantic League team. I notice one of the opposing team's coach's is none other than Bob Bonner. After the game, I go to the visitors' lockerroom to do a couple of interviews; on my way out I go up to Bonner and ask "Are you the Bob Bonner who used to be in the Orioles organization, played in Rochester a couple of years?"

He looks up stunned and goes "Yeah!" I said "I've got a baseball at home with your autograph on it."

He gets all wide-eyed and exclaims, "Wow, I'm going to go home and tell my wife that somebody knows me!"

Heh. Bob Bonner. I remember that name. Maybe I should call his wife.
Here's a Tippy bit that I've heard. Seeing the name "Martinez", Latin writers would go to him for quotes, and ask questions in Spanish. Tippy was from Colorado, and didn't speak Spanish.

[Eleazar]

I've heard of that guy before, kind of the Orioles' version of Buck O'Neill. RIP

[ROYC75]

I wish I could make 10 mil for doing jack squat............

[beavis]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Maybe he'll be trade bait if he produces. its just a stop gap anyway.

Yep. If Butler is ready by the end of the year, we just dump this guy for prospects. Not a bad move.

[FringeNC]

He has an unusual career path. If I am not mistaken, the older he gets, the less time missed to injuries. If he can stay healthy, he's an above replacement-value player, which is very odd for the Royals to have these days.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by shakesthecat

I hate you too, Demaria!

Here's some free advice. Next time you get called up to The Show, try not allowing a HR every 3 innings.

HEY, HOTSHOT!

It's not about production, it about how good your hair looks. Just ask Johnny Damon.

Your pal,

Chris D., or is it Christy...............

[Rausch]

If the Royals aren't careful they might have a .500 season this year...

[KCChiefsMan]

picking up Sanders would be an improvement at least

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Rausch

If the Royals aren't careful they might have a .500 season this year...

Perish the thought.........

Actually, I'd be good with some REAL improvement. Good production from their starters, seeing the young'ns develop, winning close games and getting 75 wins. They do that, and have Butler, Gordon, Lubanski, Huber & Howell ready for the start of 07, and I'm good to go as a fan.