Dutton: With JuanGone hurt, Royals likely to stand pat

tk13 · 08-17-2003, 01:27 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...ts/6550267.htm

With Gonzalez probably off the market, Royals likely to stand pat
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star

The possibility of the Royals adding a much-desired big bat for their stretch run has diminished significantly.

News has surfaced that Texas is advising Juan Gonzalez to undergo surgery on his troublesome right calf muscle. The Royals long have sought Gonzalez in trade talks and had been waiting to see whether the outfielder would waive the no-trade clause in his contract once he was activated from the disabled list.

"You still explore possibilities, but obviously those possibilities are narrowed down," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "And as every day goes by, the likelihood increases that our ballclub right now is the ballclub we will move forward with into September."

Any acquisition must clear waivers and join the club before Sept. 1 in order to be eligible for the postseason roster.

The Royals still are looking to add a hitter because outfielder Michael Tucker is not expected to return before late September after suffering a broken leg Aug. 4 at Chicago.

"We'll continue to talk to clubs and explore who goes through waivers," Baird said. "Doing something of that nature continues to be very much alive."

Any acquisition other than Gonzalez is not likely to be viewed as an impact player. Gonzalez, 33, was the American League's most valuable player in 1996 and 1998 and was batting .294 this season with 24 homers and 70 RBIs in 82 games.

The Royals tried to obtain Gonzalez, 33, before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline, but his injury put talks on hold. The Royals remained interested after the deadline because they thought he would clear waivers and eventually waive his no-trade clause.

Gonzalez's contract expires after the season, but any team that claims him would be responsible for $10.5 million in deferred payments in addition to roughly $1.5 million remaining in his 2003 salary.

Once a player clears waivers, he can be traded in the usual manner. The Royals were expected to trade minor-league prospects to the Rangers if they agreed to pay the remainder of Gonzalez's contract.

Gonzalez cannot be placed on waivers until he comes off the disabled list, and a recent examination found a pocket of fluid near his right calf muscle. Texas officials recommended surgery, but Gonzalez has yet to agree.

Sure-Oz · 08-17-2003, 09:11 AM

WOW, I didn't know this...(Not being a smartass to you just altard)

They stood pat pretty much during the Juan Gone thing, get Sanders damnit, dude has been crushing the ball lately and we need another bench OF incase so get him as that or another starter which is what he should be. We won't though cause it's the Royals.

We dropped the ball on Jose Guillen this year, he would've looked real good in this lineup, oh well....

**PHOG** · 08-17-2003, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

WOW, I didn't know this...(Not being a smartass to you just altard)

They stood pat pretty much during the Juan Gone thing, get Sanders damnit, dude has been crushing the ball lately and we need another bench OF incase so get him as that or another starter which is what he should be. We won't though cause it's the Royals.

We dropped the ball on Jose Guillen this year, he would've looked real good in this lineup, oh well....

I agree on picking up Sanders. In his last 8 games he has hit .375 with 3 doubles, 5 HR, 8 RBI against the Rockies, Cards, and Brewers.

That would be some much needed production in our lineup, once Beltran and Sweeney are playing regularly, which it sounds like they will be barring ANYMORE injuries to either one.

Sanders, Guiel, Beltran in the OF, with RRRRAAAAUUULLLLL on 1st and Sweeney DHing.

08-17-2003, 01:27 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $2022500	Dutton: With JuanGone hurt, Royals likely to stand pat http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...ts/6550267.htm With Gonzalez probably off the market, Royals likely to stand pat By BOB DUTTON The Kansas City Star The possibility of the Royals adding a much-desired big bat for their stretch run has diminished significantly. News has surfaced that Texas is advising Juan Gonzalez to undergo surgery on his troublesome right calf muscle. The Royals long have sought Gonzalez in trade talks and had been waiting to see whether the outfielder would waive the no-trade clause in his contract once he was activated from the disabled list. "You still explore possibilities, but obviously those possibilities are narrowed down," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "And as every day goes by, the likelihood increases that our ballclub right now is the ballclub we will move forward with into September." Any acquisition must clear waivers and join the club before Sept. 1 in order to be eligible for the postseason roster. The Royals still are looking to add a hitter because outfielder Michael Tucker is not expected to return before late September after suffering a broken leg Aug. 4 at Chicago. "We'll continue to talk to clubs and explore who goes through waivers," Baird said. "Doing something of that nature continues to be very much alive." Any acquisition other than Gonzalez is not likely to be viewed as an impact player. Gonzalez, 33, was the American League's most valuable player in 1996 and 1998 and was batting .294 this season with 24 homers and 70 RBIs in 82 games. The Royals tried to obtain Gonzalez, 33, before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline, but his injury put talks on hold. The Royals remained interested after the deadline because they thought he would clear waivers and eventually waive his no-trade clause. Gonzalez's contract expires after the season, but any team that claims him would be responsible for $10.5 million in deferred payments in addition to roughly $1.5 million remaining in his 2003 salary. Once a player clears waivers, he can be traded in the usual manner. The Royals were expected to trade minor-league prospects to the Rangers if they agreed to pay the remainder of Gonzalez's contract. Gonzalez cannot be placed on waivers until he comes off the disabled list, and a recent examination found a pocket of fluid near his right calf muscle. Texas officials recommended surgery, but Gonzalez has yet to agree.
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