Royals Sign 3 - Page 3

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.

Archie Bunker · 12-16-2005, 11:11 AM

Is the press conference on the radio locally? If so can anyone recap for me.

Eleazar · 12-16-2005, 11:11 AM

Well, our defense just got better at least.

Hal McRae · 12-16-2005, 11:21 AM

Mientkiewicz is a luxury for a top-notch, playoff team -- a 9th inning defensive replacement.

Grudzielanek I love, but age is creeping up there for him.....So much for him being a "virtual lock" to play for the Mets or the Red Sox

I say trade Sweeney to LA-Anaheim. He's been great for us, but he needs a chance with a franchise that can win games!

Plus, I want to get Brandon Wood in here to play shortstop, next to our first round pick from Nebraska at third-base

http://www.topprospectalert.com/bran...d-pictures.htm

**ChiTown** · 12-16-2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hal McRae

Plus, I want to get Brandon Wood in here to play shortstop, next to our first round pick from Nebraska at third-base

http://www.topprospectalert.com/bran...d-pictures.htm

That will NEVER happen. The Angels have NO DESIRE to trade Wood, especially for an overpaid DH near the end of his career.

beavis · 12-16-2005, 11:46 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 think being designated for assign pretty much means he will be released.

I disagree. Harvey sucks. He'll be lucky to be playing for the T-Bones next year.

StcChief · 12-16-2005, 11:49 AM

Looks like we will see Grudz again
in the Royals World Series...

the June Interleague when the play the Cards.

Coach · 12-16-2005, 11:56 AM

I'm glad to see that Ken Harvey, Matt Diaz and relief pitchers Shawn Camp and Chris DeMaria get DFA'ed, especially Shawn Camp. He really sucks.

Eleazar · 12-16-2005, 12:05 PM

I didn't see that bit about Harvey being done with KC.

He seems like a good guy and I wish him luck but his plate discipline is non-existent. We don't need a career AAA guy like him holding up a young prospect.

**Reaper16** · 12-16-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

I'm glad to see that Ken Harvey, Matt Diaz and relief pitchers Shawn Camp and Chris DeMaria get DFA'ed, especially Shawn Camp. He really sucks.

I hope that Diaz is sent to Omaha, I still think he can potentially be a valuble major league bat. If not, he destroys AAA pitching, and can help Omaha win some games.

chiefqueen · 12-16-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmh6476

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

The seamstress is getting the $22 mil Glass gave Baird to spend.

Hoover · 12-16-2005, 01:04 PM

Didn't they sign Paul Baco too? i think all of these guys will work well in KC

tk13 · 12-16-2005, 01:05 PM

Well, it's defense, so I like that. Pitching and defense, Allard's doing it the right way. I think we're going to have to overpay Jacque Jones, but I'd like to sign him anyway. If there was one guy we were going to overpay I wouldn't freak if it was him. It would certainly give us a much, much, much better defensive team. We'd have the potential to be pretty solid all the way around the field except for maybe LF.

oldandslow · 12-16-2005, 01:14 PM

Card fan here...

You will love Grudz's play. He is GREAT at turning the DP. One of the best I have seen. He was not re-signed by the Cards for one simple reason - "actions detrimental to the team."

Rumors floating about ranged as far abroad as imaginations would allow.

tk13 · 12-16-2005, 01:29 PM

Yeah I agree, some fans on the Royals board seem to question his D but I like him. He doesn't make mistakes and he turns a good DP. As long as he can bring that to the table he'll help us.

Apparently Allard was on 810 and said these moves do allow us to keep Huber in AAA the whole year... said he needs to work on his defense, that's his goal. Said we were still talking to FA's, looking at corner outfielders, and maybe even another pitcher. Said we had $6M to spend but could potentially go beyond that for the right guys. That's all secondhand info, so I can't confirm it, but that's what everybody that listened to the interview is saying.

ChiefsCountry · 12-16-2005, 02:55 PM

Mintkewicz is a good signing IMO. He is a good defensive first baseman, which allows Sweeney to DH full time. Good move.

12-16-2005, 09:22 AM
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $1718978	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.
Posts: 6,194

12-16-2005, 11:11 AM	#31
Archie Bunker The Wait Is Over Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Random Small Town Casino cash: $1718978	Is the press conference on the radio locally? If so can anyone recap for me.
Posts: 6,194

12-16-2005, 11:11 AM	#32
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Well, our defense just got better at least.
Posts: 80,659

12-16-2005, 11:21 AM	#33
Hal McRae Starter Join Date: Jul 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Mientkiewicz is a luxury for a top-notch, playoff team -- a 9th inning defensive replacement. Grudzielanek I love, but age is creeping up there for him.....So much for him being a "virtual lock" to play for the Mets or the Red Sox I say trade Sweeney to LA-Anaheim. He's been great for us, but he needs a chance with a franchise that can win games! Plus, I want to get Brandon Wood in here to play shortstop, next to our first round pick from Nebraska at third-base http://www.topprospectalert.com/bran...d-pictures.htm
Posts: 135

12-16-2005, 11:49 AM	#36
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Looks like we will see Grudz again in the Royals World Series... the June Interleague when the play the Cards. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

12-16-2005, 11:56 AM	#37
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5758476	I'm glad to see that Ken Harvey, Matt Diaz and relief pitchers Shawn Camp and Chris DeMaria get DFA'ed, especially Shawn Camp. He really sucks. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, & 2024 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
Posts: 53,225

12-16-2005, 12:05 PM	#38
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I didn't see that bit about Harvey being done with KC. He seems like a good guy and I wish him luck but his plate discipline is non-existent. We don't need a career AAA guy like him holding up a young prospect.
Posts: 80,659

12-16-2005, 01:04 PM	#41
Hoover Rufus Dawes Jr. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $1358179	Didn't they sign Paul Baco too? i think all of these guys will work well in KC
Posts: 17,386

12-16-2005, 01:05 PM	#42
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1682500	Well, it's defense, so I like that. Pitching and defense, Allard's doing it the right way. I think we're going to have to overpay Jacque Jones, but I'd like to sign him anyway. If there was one guy we were going to overpay I wouldn't freak if it was him. It would certainly give us a much, much, much better defensive team. We'd have the potential to be pretty solid all the way around the field except for maybe LF.
Posts: 55,003

12-16-2005, 01:14 PM	#43
oldandslow Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $5393149	Card fan here... You will love Grudz's play. He is GREAT at turning the DP. One of the best I have seen. He was not re-signed by the Cards for one simple reason - "actions detrimental to the team." Rumors floating about ranged as far abroad as imaginations would allow.
Posts: 4,567

12-16-2005, 01:29 PM	#44
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1682500	Yeah I agree, some fans on the Royals board seem to question his D but I like him. He doesn't make mistakes and he turns a good DP. As long as he can bring that to the table he'll help us. Apparently Allard was on 810 and said these moves do allow us to keep Huber in AAA the whole year... said he needs to work on his defense, that's his goal. Said we were still talking to FA's, looking at corner outfielders, and maybe even another pitcher. Said we had $6M to spend but could potentially go beyond that for the right guys. That's all secondhand info, so I can't confirm it, but that's what everybody that listened to the interview is saying.
Posts: 55,003

12-16-2005, 02:55 PM	#45
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $1998752	Mintkewicz is a good signing IMO. He is a good defensive first baseman, which allows Sweeney to DH full time. Good move.
Posts: 49,776