Royals Sign 3

[Archie Bunker]

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.

[Saulbadguy]

Nice.

[RedDread]

Holy crap.....We could win 70 this year!

[ChiTown]

Works for me

I'm not a big Elarton fan, but he does chew innings, and he might fare better at the K than other venues where he's pitched.

If they can sign Jones, I'll be very happy with the Royals off-season. They are doing exactly what they needed to do. Get some short term help until the kids are ready to play. Nice job, Allard!

[bkkcoh]

Originally Posted by RedDread

Holy crap.....We could win 70 this year!

Look on the bright side, if that happens, they won't lose 100 for the 3 time in 4 f'n years....

[beavis]

I'm not a big fan of the Mientkiewicz signing, I think it's going to hold up Huber. I'll throw a fit if Allard has a moment of insanity and trades him or something stupid like that.

The other ones... whatever. We had no alternative at second. Elarton sound like the same guy we've picked off the scrap heap for the last 5 years.

[Saulbadguy]

I am a fan of the Mintkewicz signing. I've always thought having Sweeney, or Stairs, ugh, was a liability at 1st base.

[Boozer]

There might be some money to be made here...who do I contact about getting the Geritol franchise for the clubhouse?

[shakesthecat]

While this probably means the team will only lose 90 games this year, I like all the signings.

Grudz is going to be a HUGE improvment over the scrubs they trotted out last year, and Mientkiewicz keeps Mike Skillethands off the field or maybe even helps facilitate his trade.

Elarton is no great shakes, but allows guys like Howell and Bautista to stay another year in the minors where they belong.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I am a fan of the Mintkewicz signing. I've always thought having Sweeney, or Stairs, ugh, was a liability at 1st base.

Honest to God, how does this not pave the way to trade Sweeney? Mientkiewicz is an everday firstbaseman, and one of the btter defenders in the league. Huber can play full-time DH and sub in for Mientkiewicz when he needs a rest. It doersn't get any better than this.

Sweeney traded for another starting pitcher or a corner outfielder sounds great to me.

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by beavis

I'm not a big fan of the Mientkiewicz signing, I think it's going to hold up Huber.

It's supposed to. They want Huber to spend another year in the minors.

Minky and Grudzy will greatly upgrade our IF defense; plus, they're just on one-year deals. That's the best thing about it -- short-term stopgaps to give the kids a bit more time, while improving a glaring weakness -- D.

Still need some OF help until Gordon, Lubanski, etc. arrive. Really don't want Reggie Sanders, unless it's maybe for one year, or Jacque Jones for more than 2.

I've already spoken up in support of the Elarton deal.

This FA market wasn't good enough for us to make a big splash. And we haven't really traded anybody yet, so we've plugged holes while still holding some chips for later.

I'll settle for 70 wins this year; 80 the next. Just go 70-92 this year and I'll consider that improvement, assuming the kids keep progressing, whether it's in KC or the minors.

[Boozer]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Honest to God, how does this not pave the way to trade Sweeney? Mientkiewicz is an everday firstbaseman, and one of the btter defenders in the league. Huber can play full-time DH and sub in for Mientkiewicz when he needs a rest. It doersn't get any better than this.

Sweeney traded for another starting pitcher or a corner outfielder sounds great to me.

Doesn't he have an undesireable contract? And it's not like he'd be much of an addtion to any team with the cash to spend on him.

[shakesthecat]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Honest to God, how does this not pave the way to trade Sweeney? Mientkiewicz is an everday firstbaseman, and one of the btter defenders in the league. Huber can play full-time DH and sub in for Mientkiewicz when he needs a rest. It doersn't get any better than this.

Sweeney traded for another starting pitcher or a corner outfielder sounds great to me.

That's what I'm hoping for as well.
11 mil. for an oft-injured DH is ridiculous.

[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?

[Boozer]

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?

"I'm taking my ball and going home."