"The search by the Royals for a utility infielder, preferably a right-handed hitter, appears focused on veteran free agents who still possesses some offensive punch — and determining which, if any, are willing to accept a limited role.

Targets include Edgar Renteria, Mark DeRosa, Orlando Cabrera and Carlos Guillen.

"You look for a guy who is able to play some short," general manager Dayton Moore said. "Maybe a right-handed bat with power; a guy who can play some third. There are a lot of those guys out there, and we won't know who that person is until later.""