Royals Sign 3 - Page 2

Archie Bunker · 12-16-2005, 09:22 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13423054.htm
Mientkiewicz, Grudzielanek, Elarton signing with Royals

By JEFF PASSANT
The Kansas City StarThe Royals needed a facelift after their 106-loss season, and they’re getting it. In one fell swoop.First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and starting pitcher Scott Elarton have all agreed to sign with Kansas City. The Royals are expected to hold an 11 a.m. news conference today announcing the moves, as well as the signing of backup catcher Paul Bako.

To make room for the four on the 40-man roster, the Royals will designate for assignment first baseman Ken Harvey _ their lone All-Star in 2004 _ outfielder Matt Diaz and relief pitchers Shawn Camp and Chris DeMaria.

Elarton’s contract is believed to be for two seasons, while Grudzielanek’s is for one with an option and Mientkiewicz and Bako’s straight one-year deals.

Together, the four bring 34 years of major-league experience, 66 games in the playoffs and a much-needed veteran presence to supplement Mike Sweeney and Matt Stairs while the Royals try to rebuild around their young core and ease the integration of top prospects Billy Butler and Alex Gordon.

Mientkiewicz, 31, spent the first 6½ seasons of his career with the Twins before being traded to Boston, where he caught the final out of the Red Sox’s first World Series victory in 86 years. He’s known for his defense, having won a Gold Glove in 2001, and is expected to play everyday at first base while the Royals shift Mike Sweeney to full-time designated hitter duty.

Grudzielanek, 35, is a line-drive hitter whose glove could help give the Royals among the best infield defenses in the American League. Though he’s a free swinger who rarely walks, Grudzielanek has hit over .300 three times and batted .294 with eight home runs and 59 RBIs in St. Louis last season. He’ll start at second base, making the just-acquired Esteban German the utility infielder.

Elarton, who turns 30 in February, will be in a rotation that includes Runelvys Hernandez, Zack Greinke and Mark Redman, obtained this offseason from Pittsburgh. A fly-ball pitcher, Elarton struggled for three years in Colorado _ where he played for Royals manager Buddy Bell _ after winning 17 games with Houston in 2000. The Rockies released him in May 2004, Cleveland scooped him up and he went 11-9 with a 4.61 ERA for the Indians last season.

Only a corner outfielder remains on the Royals’ checklist for offseason moves, and they’re thought to be the leaders for former Twins outfielder Jacque Jones.

jidar · 12-16-2005, 10:19 AM

Great to see something serious happen with that organization. Hopefully we can have some freaking wins.

KevB · 12-16-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Isn't Mientkiewicz kind of a red-ass?

That's a good thing for this Royals team. I actually think he's considered a very good teammate. He can't hit, but he can pick it and offer some leadership. He was there when the Twins were making their ascension with youth.

**chefsos** · 12-16-2005, 10:29 AM

Mientkiewicz and Grudzielanek? You just gotta go after Nomar now, if for no other reason than to make the team seamstress quit in a huff.

Coogs · 12-16-2005, 10:33 AM

When are we going to sign the guy with the Playboy/Penthouse wife?

sedated · 12-16-2005, 10:35 AM

The only significant signing was Grudz.

we need more bats, and he gives us one.

Sully · 12-16-2005, 10:41 AM

It's going to take till the 3rd inning before I finish filling out the lineup on my scorecard, now.

**HemiEd** · 12-16-2005, 10:45 AM

I am really jacked about this.

teedubya · 12-16-2005, 10:46 AM

Hey, I have heard of all three of them!! woo hoo.

Mr. Laz · 12-16-2005, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie Bunker

To make room for the four on the 40-man roster, the Royals will designate for assignment first baseman Ken Harvey _ their lone All-Star in 2004

if i was harvey i would just ask the Royals to release him

imo harvey can be a serviceable 1st baseman if he was on a team that wasn't so screwed up.

shakesthecat · 12-16-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

if i was harvey i would just ask the Royals to release him

imo harvey can be a serviceable 1st baseman if he was on a team that wasn't so screwed up.

I wish they would release him.
Slow-footed, poor-fielding, ground ball machines aren't that hard to come by.

**ChiTown** · 12-16-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

if i was harvey i would just ask the Royals to release him

imo harvey can be a serviceable 1st baseman if he was on a team that wasn't so screwed up.

He's one of the few ML 1B that is injured more often than Mike Sweeney

KC Kings · 12-16-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Isn't Mientkiewicz kind of a red-ass? There was a dispute between him and the Red Sox over the ball from the final out of their WS victory, wasn't there?

When is the last time you could mention a current Royal's player and WS in the same sentence?

cmh6476 · 12-16-2005, 11:03 AM

our poor seamstress must have pulled an all-nighter for this press conference

Mr. Laz · 12-16-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakesthecat

I wish they would release him.
Slow-footed, poor-fielding, ground ball machines aren't that hard to come by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

He's one of the few ML 1B that is injured more often than Mike Sweeney

i know ... i'm one of the only people who sees potiential in harvey.

i still think he can be good

**chefsos** · 12-16-2005, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

Mientkiewicz and Grudzielanek? You just gotta go after Nomar now, if for no other reason than to make the team seamstress quit in a huff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmh6476

our poor seamstress must have pulled an all-nighter for this press conference

Gotcha. Great minds th.....or something like that.

12-16-2005, 09:22 AM
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $1578978	Royals Sign 3 http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13423054.htm Mientkiewicz, Grudzielanek, Elarton signing with Royals By JEFF PASSANT The Kansas City StarThe Royals needed a facelift after their 106-loss season, and they’re getting it. In one fell swoop.First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and starting pitcher Scott Elarton have all agreed to sign with Kansas City. The Royals are expected to hold an 11 a.m. news conference today announcing the moves, as well as the signing of backup catcher Paul Bako. To make room for the four on the 40-man roster, the Royals will designate for assignment first baseman Ken Harvey _ their lone All-Star in 2004 _ outfielder Matt Diaz and relief pitchers Shawn Camp and Chris DeMaria. Elarton’s contract is believed to be for two seasons, while Grudzielanek’s is for one with an option and Mientkiewicz and Bako’s straight one-year deals. Together, the four bring 34 years of major-league experience, 66 games in the playoffs and a much-needed veteran presence to supplement Mike Sweeney and Matt Stairs while the Royals try to rebuild around their young core and ease the integration of top prospects Billy Butler and Alex Gordon. Mientkiewicz, 31, spent the first 6½ seasons of his career with the Twins before being traded to Boston, where he caught the final out of the Red Sox’s first World Series victory in 86 years. He’s known for his defense, having won a Gold Glove in 2001, and is expected to play everyday at first base while the Royals shift Mike Sweeney to full-time designated hitter duty. Grudzielanek, 35, is a line-drive hitter whose glove could help give the Royals among the best infield defenses in the American League. Though he’s a free swinger who rarely walks, Grudzielanek has hit over .300 three times and batted .294 with eight home runs and 59 RBIs in St. Louis last season. He’ll start at second base, making the just-acquired Esteban German the utility infielder. Elarton, who turns 30 in February, will be in a rotation that includes Runelvys Hernandez, Zack Greinke and Mark Redman, obtained this offseason from Pittsburgh. A fly-ball pitcher, Elarton struggled for three years in Colorado _ where he played for Royals manager Buddy Bell _ after winning 17 games with Houston in 2000. The Rockies released him in May 2004, Cleveland scooped him up and he went 11-9 with a 4.61 ERA for the Indians last season. Only a corner outfielder remains on the Royals’ checklist for offseason moves, and they’re thought to be the leaders for former Twins outfielder Jacque Jones.
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12-16-2005, 10:19 AM	#16
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	Great to see something serious happen with that organization. Hopefully we can have some freaking wins.
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12-16-2005, 10:29 AM	#18
chefsos Fifty eight sixty two... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Felton, DE Casino cash: $8467676	Mientkiewicz and Grudzielanek? You just gotta go after Nomar now, if for no other reason than to make the team seamstress quit in a huff.
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12-16-2005, 10:33 AM	#19
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1064349	When are we going to sign the guy with the Playboy/Penthouse wife?
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12-16-2005, 10:41 AM	#21
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	It's going to take till the 3rd inning before I finish filling out the lineup on my scorecard, now. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
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12-16-2005, 10:45 AM	#22
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $2740564	I am really jacked about this.
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12-16-2005, 10:46 AM	#23
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9460002	Hey, I have heard of all three of them!! woo hoo.
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12-16-2005, 11:03 AM	#28
cmh6476 Keep Camp Home! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Joe MO Casino cash: $2126277	our poor seamstress must have pulled an all-nighter for this press conference __________________ from September to February! from November to April! from April to October! 2024 Adopt-a-Chief: Xavier Worthy
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