Royals News

Royals to bring out powder blue hats in 2010
Comment
November 19
Kansas City Star
 
"Score one for Royals marketing. The team announced Thursday that next year's team will wear a new powder blue hat with their powder blue jerseys, which have been worn every home day game since the 2008 season. The hat -- shown above here -- will go on sale for $38 at the team store at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday. The store will also be open before the Kansas-Missouri football game -- remember when that game mattered? -- and a week from tomorrow, Willie Wilson, Kevin Seitzer and Willie Aikens will be signing autographs at the store from noon to 2 p.m."
Royals have deal with righty Thompson
Comment
November 19
Foxsports.com
 
"Right-hander Brad Thompson has agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, a major league source told FOXSports.com. As a minor league free agent, Thompson was able to agree on a 2010 contract prior to Friday, when major league free agents can begin signing with new clubs. Thompson is 21-17 with a 4.36 in 185 major league appearances, all with the St. Louis Cardinals. He has made 32 starts in the big leagues."
For Greinke and Royals, the clock is ticking
Comment
November 19
Kansas City Star
 
"Pardon this blog if the relief and pride of seeing Zack Greinke win baseball's highest pitching honor hasn't yet faded, but there is a fast-approaching reality that the Royals will have to face. They now have anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years to build a contender around the game's best pitcher, or risk losing the franchise's greatest asset since George Brett. Dayton Moore's most important move as general manager came last January, before Greinke's breakout season, when he signed the emerging ace to a contract extension through 2012. Greinke agreed to the deal — extending his potential free agency two years — in large part because he liked the direction of the franchise. This was Greinke ..."
Royals firm up minor-league coaching staffs
Comment
November 19
Kansas City Star
 
"Doug Henry will be the new pitching coach for Class AAA Omaha after spending one season as the Royals' roving pitching coach. Henry replaces Tom Burgmeier. The rest of the coaching staffs for the Royals' top four affiliates will return intact, the organization announced on Wednesday. Brian Buchanan will be the new manager for the rookie team in Idaho Falls, helped by pitching coach Carlos Martinez and hitting coach Julio Bruno."
Zack Greinke's masterpiece salvages something from yet another lost season
Comment
November 18
Kansas City Star
 
"The one thing you get used to in Kansas City is learning how to appreciate athletes who perform valiantly when there isn't much at stake. Well, it's all we have left. The Chiefs have not won a playoff game in 15 years, and the Royals have played 24 straight seasons without making the playoffs. Still, the games go on, and here in the Heartland, we are left cheering Will Shields for still blocking hard in the mud during a lost season or Tony Gonzalez for catching 200 extra balls at practice to keep sharp or Mike Sweeney for cracking a double into the gap with the Royals about to lose again. Yes, it does get old after a while. Still, we should pause and take special joy from Kansas City ..."
Greinke gets almost unanimous support for Cy Young
Comment
November 18
Kansas City Star
 
"The headline on the announcement that Zack Greinke was the American League Cy Young winner called the voting a "landslide." It figures, then, that most of the opinions among voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America followed. "I voted for Greinke and for me, it was an easy thing to do," said Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. "He was on top, and he never permitted anyone to knock him off," said Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "Yes, he won 'only' 16 games, but he had nine games in which he allowed two or fewer runs and didn't get a win," said Tracy Ringolsby of Baseball America, FoxSports.com and InsideTheRockies.com. Greinke received 25 of 28 first-place votes in the ..."
K.C.'s Greinke is AL Cy Young
Comment
November 18
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Zack Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award on Tuesday, easily beating out Felix Hernandez after a season short on wins but long on domination. Greinke went 16-8 with a major-league-low 2.16 ERA for the Royals. Hernandez was 19-5 with a 2.49 ERA for the Mariners. Greinke received 25 of 28 first-place votes and three seconds for 134 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Hernandez drew two first-place votes and 80 points. Detroit's Justin Verlander was third."
Greinke gets one more win: AL Cy Young
Comment
November 17
Kansas City Star
 
"Zack Greinke’s sweep of the major awards is complete after being named the American League Cy Young winner by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Greinke won with 25 of 28 first-place votes, and 134 points, easily beating runner-up Felix Hernandez of Seattle, who received two first-place votes and 80 points. Detroit’s Justin Verlander received the other first-place vote. Greinke went 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA and 242 strikeouts in 229 1/3 innings, his breakout season becoming a needed point of pride in an otherwise dreadful Royals season. His ERA was more than a third of a run better than Hernandez, who finished second, and the AL’s best mark since Pedro Martinez in 2000."
Win or lose Cy Young, Greinke wants to play for a winner
Comment
November 17
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals' first Cy Young winner has simple advice for the man expected to become the latest. "Whatever his pregame meal is," Bret Saberhagen says of Zack Greinke, "just keep on eating it." Greinke, of course, had a breakout season in 2009, when his 2.16 ERA was the best in the American League by more than a third of a run, and the best overall mark since Pedro Martinez in 2000. He went 16-8 and struck out 242 in 229 1/3 innings, dominant enough that most expect him to be honored when the Baseball Writers Association of America selects the winner this afternoon. In the shadows of the announcement, it's worthwhile to consider what the future will hold for both Greinke and the Royals — win ..."
Butler receives Royals' top honor
Comment
November 17
Kansas City Star
 
"Billy Butler is working. That much he assures you. He is working, seven days a week, with a personal trainer and with yoga and weights and cardio and anything else he can find to get himself into better shape. It worked last offseason, and Butler figures it'll work again. He said he came to spring training 15 pounds or so lighter than the previous year, and he did it in a way that made him stronger and faster. So the plan this offseason? Sweat, rinse, repeat. "If you're working out, you're getting better baseballwise," he said. "If you get stronger, you hit the ball further, you hit the ball harder, you have quicker hands. Everything I do is trying to make me a better baseball player." ..."
Royals select Billy Butler as player of the year
Comment
November 16
Kansas City Star
 
"Billy Butler was named the Royals player of the Year on Monday. Butler, at 23 years old, becomes the youngest winner since George Brett in 1976. Butler hit .301 with 51 doubles and 93 RBIs __ each a team high __ and became just the fifth player to hit at least 50 doubles and 20 homers in a season before turning 24. The others are Hank Greenberg, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera."
Heyward-Bey true to form with dropped pass
Comment
November 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Raiders rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey fell to the ground, facemask down, 9 yards from the end zone with 30 seconds on the game clock. Consider that his secondof the loss-ensuring play. With game-winning momentum at his back, Heyward-Bey turned sharp on a comeback route, leaped for the pass and - clang - let it bounce down off his chest, up off his knee and out off his hand for a Chiefs interception. Drive over, hope dashed, game lost, 16-10 to the Chiefs. If there was any consoling Heyward-Bey, it had to be immediately after the game. The NFL's fastest rookie got out of the locker room before reporters were allowed in there, leaving teammates to feel his pain. "I just told him to keep his ..."
Royals notebook Callaspo wins special achievement award
Comment
November 14
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals second baseman Alberto Callaspo, the subject of offseason trade rumors, was honored Friday afternoon as this year's winner of the Joe Burke Special Achievement Award. The Burke Award is named in honor of the club's former general manager and president. It dates to 1971 and has evolved in recent year to a way of recognizing a player who is not selected as the club's player or pitcher of the year. It is not dispensed every year. Callaspo, 26, batted .300 with a .356 on-base percentage last season in his first year as a full-time starter in the big leagues. He also had 11 homers and 73 RBIs while scoring 79 runs in 155 games. "Alberto had a special year, especially at the plate, and ..."
Club confirms Betemit signing; DiNardo chooses free-agency
Comment
November 13
Kansas City Star
 
"Veteran utility infielder Wilson Betemit is the latest former Atlanta player to find refuge with the Royals after reaching agreement on a minor-league contract. Betemit, 28, spent 9½ seasons in the Braves' organization before a July 2006 trade sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Subsequent trades sent him to the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox. Reports of the agreement surfaced Wednesday, but the Royals declined to confirm the deal until Thursday morning. Betemit, a switch hitter, split time last season in the White Sox's organization. He batted .200 in 20 games for the big-league club and .241 in 72 games for Class AAA Charlotte. He has a .258 average and .324 on-base percentage ..."
Royals prepare to reshape their roster for 2010
Comment
November 12
Kansas City Star
 
"The switch by Royals general manager Dayton Moore from active free-agent shopper to swap-meet enthusiast suggests a major shift in the organization's philosophical approach this winter. No longer, it seems, will Moore seek a quick fix through stimulus spending in hopes of bridging the gap until the club's increased emphasis in scouting and player development shows dividends. The Royals now appear committed to a longer-term approach. Moore speaks of accumulated talent - acquired through scouting and trades - coming together in "waves" even as he admits that wave is not likely to arrive in 2010. "We're going to be better with more depth at the Triple-A and Double-A levels next year," he ..."
Kauffman again under consideration for induction into baseball Hall of Fame
Comment
November 11
Kansas City Star
 
"Former Royals owner Ewing Kauffman is again just one step away from a posthumous induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Kauffman was one of 10 executives selected Tuesday for consideration by a 12-member Veterans Committee that again includes current Royals owner David Glass. And Glass is already itching for his second chance to push his predecessor's candidacy. "Ewing Kauffman took an expansion franchise in a small market and made it very respectable," Glass said. "He was highly respected by the other owners and contributed to lots of decisions that, as other owners will tell you, were always in the best interest of the game. "He was one of those owners who ..."
Cubs trying hard to trade Bradley
Comment
November 10
SI.com
 
"The Cubs are trying hard to dump the perennially malcontented Milton Bradley here at the GM meetings, as it isn't just manager Lou Piniella who didn't connect with him in his season here. Apparently, several key members of the team -- including Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano -- barely speak to Bradley. "I don't think they dislike him. But Milton's a unique guy who doesn't fit in, like the oddball kid in class,'' one Cubs-connected person said. "He doesn't try to fit in. The other guys tried to take him in, but he's one of those kids that simply doesn't want to be part of anything,'' one Cubs person said. The Chicago Tribune reported that a Bradley blowup with now-deposed hitting coach ..."
Catch me if you can: Market full of backstops
Comment
November 9
MLB.com
 
"The free-agent market for catchers in 2009-10 is chock full of high-profile experience, durability and veteran savvy behind the plate. Even though the catching crop's best offensive player, Victor Martinez, was taken off the table when the Red Sox, as expected, picked up his $7.7 million option, recent World Series-tested backstops such as Bengie Molina (2002), Ivan Rodriguez (2003, '06), Jason Varitek (2004, '07), Yorvit Torrealba (2007) and Rod Barajas (2001) are, or are expected to be, available. Molina, who won a World Series ring with the Angels in '02, continues a career as a highly respected defensive catcher and proceeds to develop as a run-producing hitter, spending a good portion ..."
Royals trim 40-man roster by sending pitcher John Bannister to Omaha
Comment
November 9
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals created an additional space on their 40-man roster Monday afternoon by sending right-handed pitcher John Bannister to Class AAA Omaha on an outright assignment after he cleared waivers. Bannister, 25, chose to stay with the organization by agreeing to a minor-league contract. He was 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA in eight relief appearances at Class AA Northwest Arkansas following his Aug. 11 arrival from Texas in a waiver claim. The outright assignment offered Bannister the chance to become a free agent because of previous minor-league service. He is 26-33 with a 4.75 ERA in 154 games over six professional seasons spent entirely in the Texas system prior to his eight games at Northwest ..."
Royals covet a catcher as the next step in offseason overhaul
Comment
November 9
Kansas City Star
 
"The next step in the Royals' offseason makeover is to acquire a catcher before Dec. 12 and therefore provide an alternative to offering a contract to arbitration-eligible John Buck. "We led all of baseball (last season) in passed balls and wild pitches," general manager Dayton Moore said. "That will be fixed in 2010. Our defense in general is our main objective to fix before next season. "And it starts behind the plate." Moore arrives today in Chicago for the annual GM meetings, which typically set the groundwork for possible trades. The meetings run through Wednesday, but the hot stove is already bubbling. One rumor to watch: A deal sending second baseman Alberto Callaspo to the Los ..."
Trade underscores Royals' desire to increase inventory and gain financial flexibility
Comment
November 7
Kansas City Star
 
"Two overriding factors surfaced Friday in explaining the Royals' decision to send third baseman/outfielder Mark Teahen to division-rival Chicago with cash for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields. Increasing inventory while gaining financial flexibility. "Our motivation behind this deal - and any deal that we make this winter," Royals general manager Dayton Moore acknowledged, "is to acquire as many zero-to-three service-time players as we can. That was certainly what we did here." Players with fewer than three years of service time, with a handful of exceptions, are not eligible for arbitration. That generally limits their salary, again with a few exceptions, ..."
Royals decline options on Crisp, Olivo and Yabuta
Comment
November 6
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals trimmed their roster today by declining 2010 contract options on outfielder Coco Crisp, catcher Miguel Olivo and reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta. Crisp and Olivo are immediately eligible to file for free-agency. Yabuta can become a free agent if he fails to reach agreement with the Royals on a major-league contract before Nov. 16. All three moves were expected. Shoulder injuries limited Crisp, 30, last season to 49 games, and the Royals weren't willing to gamble $8 million that he will make a full recovery. He received a $500,000 buyout. Olivo, 31, led the club last season with a career-high 23 homers but is seeking a multiyear deal. That made it likely that he would exercise his ..."
Royals complete trade, send Teahen to White Sox for two players
Comment
November 6
Kansas City Star
 
"The details took another day once the news broke, but the Royals and White Sox completed a deal Friday morning that sends third baseman/outfielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields. Both clubs confirmed the deal, which includes the White Sox receiving cash considerations to offset the imbalance in salaries. "It's strange," Teahen said. "I don't think it's really sunk in, but I had a day to digest the possibility of it. There are definitely some positives out of it. It's always nice to get into a situation where they've had success." Teahen, 28, batted .271 last season with 12 homers and 51 RBIs in 144 games while playing first ..."
Sox' Getz confirms trade to Kansas City
Comment
November 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox second baseman Chris Getz confirmed he has been traded to Kansas City with Josh Fields for Mark Teahen and an undisclosed amount of cash. Getz said he was notified by Sox general manager Ken Williams of the trade, ending more than 24 hours of speculation after a report in Thursday's editions of the New York Daily News. The cash included in the deal will provide aid to the Sox, who could give the arbitration eligible Teahen a 2010 contract that could be worth around $5 million. Getz and Fields aren't eligible for salary arbitration. "I'm happy," Fields said before placing a return call to Williams."
Royals' Wright files for free agency
Comment
November 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals reliever Jamey Wright was one of 79 players who filed Thursday for free agency. The act of filing is routine for all eligible players. Wright, 34, was 3-5 with a 4.33 ERA last season in a club-leading 65 appearances. He signed with the Royals in February as a minor-league free agent but spent the entire season on the big-league roster while making $800,000. Eligible players have 15 days to file for free agency once the World Series concludes. The players' association cites 183 players either qualified or provisionally qualified pending the resolution of option clauses in their contract. Wright is one of four Royals on the list. Lefty swingman Bruce Chen is also immediately ..."
Real deal? Teahen trade on hold
Comment
November 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bizarre had to be Chris Getz's word of the day. The second baseman woke up a member of the White Sox on Thursday, but by breakfast time, he was headed to the Kansas City Royals. At least that's what the New York Daily News was reporting. The paper had Getz and disgruntled third baseman Josh Fields fitted for royal-blue uniforms and the Sox getting jack-of-all-trades Mark Teahen, 28. A source close to the situation then confirmed to the Sun-Times that the deal was virtually done, but there were still talks about minor-league prospects possibly being involved. That was the holdup. Meanwhile, the Sox and Royals told different media outlets they had nothing to report, and that included letting ..."
Chicago White Sox reportedly trade for Mark Teahen
Comment
November 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"A reported trade the White Sox didn't announce Thursday overshadowed the team's re-signing of Mark Kotsay. The Sox wouldn't confirm reports they have acquired versatile left-handed hitter Mark Teahen from the Royals for starting second baseman Chris Getz and infielder Josh Fields. Although several scouting sources acknowledged the teams thoroughly evaluated and discussed personnel, neither Getz nor the agent for Fields said they had been informed they had been traded. Nor had Getz, who underwent a sports hernia operation Oct. 2, been asked to take a physical examination, which usually is the final step to complete a trade involving a player recovering from an injury. "I've heard nothing at ..."
Reports of Teahen trade appear to be premature
Comment
November 6
Kansas City Star
 
"It didn't take long for the Royals to surface in baseball's offseason trade rumors. Merely hours after the New York Yankees secured their 27th World Series title, a report claimed the Royals had agreed to send outfielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields. The report first appeared Thursday in the New York Daily News and gained steam when the Chicago Sun-Times cited confirmation from the White Sox. It now appears those reports, at best, are premature. "We're in discussions with a lot of clubs about a lot of things," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "There is nothing to announce yet, and we won't comment ..."
Report: Royals trade Teahen to White Sox for two players
Comment
November 5
Kansas City Star
 
"It didn't take long for the Royals to surface in baseball's off-season trade rumors. Merely hours after the New York Yankees secured their 27th World Series title, a report claimed the Royals have agreed to send outfielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields. Initial attempts to contact the Royals for comment were unsuccessful. Teahen said he had "no idea" if the report was true in responding to a text message. The White Sox also have not confirmed the report. The trade, reported by the New York Daily News, said Chicago views Teahen as a replacement for aging right fielder Jermaine Dye, who is eligible for free agency. ..."
White Sox trade Chriz Getz and Josh Fields to Royals for Mark Teahen
Comment
November 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The White Sox have traded Josh Fields and Chris Getz to Kansas City in exchange for infielder-outfielder Mark Teahen, the White Sox have confirmed. Teahen hit .271 while connecting on 12 home runs and driving in 50 runs last season. The 28-year-old lefty has spent his entire five-year career with the Royals. The move likely means Jermaine Dye, who is a free agent, will be replaced in right field by Teahen."
Club faces option decisions
Comment
November 5
Kansas City Star
 
"The end of the World Series puts the Royals on the clock in terms of picking up the 2010 options on catcher Miguel Olivo, outfielder Coco Crisp and reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta. The Royals show little inclination to do so with Crisp ($8 million) and Yabuta ($4 million), although the buyouts aren't cheap: $500,000 on each player - or more than the club is likely to pay next year to any player not yet eligible for arbitration. Even so, the uncertainty surrounding Crisp's surgically repaired shoulders and the near-certainty regarding Yabuta's ability scream in support of buyouts. Olivo's pending $3.3 million deal is a tougher call. First, it's a mutual option, which means Olivo can choose to ..."
Royals fans stay true blue in Big Apple
Comment
November 4
Kansas City Star
 
"Matt Hoffman has done everything he can for his son. The boy has a Zack Greinke jersey, Royals batting gloves, and even a little brother named Gordon. There is a ball in the house with five or six autographs from Royals players. But Kiefer is no dummy. He's 6 years old, and really starting to understand the game. He knows when the infield should play in, when the runners should be moving, and which counts the pitcher will throw a fastball. So, yeah, Kiefer is a smart kid. And he's a New York kid in a town dominated by Derek Jeter, unlike his old man, who grew up in George Brett's Kansas City. Temptation is all around the boy, especially now, as the team his friends root for is one win from ..."
Players pick Greinke as American League's top pitcher
Comment
October 29
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals right-hander Zack Greinke garnered another award Wednesday as the top pitcher in the American League. This one came courtesy of his peers in balloting for the Players Choice Awards. Greinke was previously selected as the AL's top pitcher by The Sporting News and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum after going 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA. He now appears positioned as the favorite for the Cy Young Award, which will be announced Nov. 17."
Players pick Greinke as American League's top pitcher
Comment
October 28
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals right-hander Zack Greinke garnered another award today as the top pitcher in the American League. This one came courtesy of his peers in balloting for the Players Choice Awards. Greinke was previously selected by The Sporting News as the AL's top pitcher and looks to be the favorite for the Cy Young Award, which will be announced Nov. 17. Toronto's Roy Halladay and New York's CC Sabathia were the other finalists in balloting by players to determine the league's most outstanding pitcher."
Marlins assistant Foster to replace Mizerock in bullpen
Comment
October 28
Kansas City Star
 
"Steve Foster is joining the Royals as the new bullpen coach after spending the past three years in that role for the Florida Marlins. He replaces John Mizerock, who was fired after the season. All other members of manager Trey Hillman's staff were previously retained, although special-assignment coach Eddie Rodriguez became the first-base coach when Rusty Kuntz became a minor-league instructor. The Royals cited a preference for a former pitcher in seeking Mizerock's replacement. Foster, 43, was 3-3 with a 2.41 ERA in 59 appearances for Cincinnati from 1991-93 before injuries effectively ended his career. Foster previously served as a minor-league pitching coach for two years in the ..."
Royals hire Cleveland assistant as new head trainer
Comment
October 23
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals reached outside the organization Thursday in hiring Nick Kenney to replace Nick Swartz as their new head athletic trainer. Kenney joins the organization after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant trainer for the Cleveland Indians. He previously worked two years as an assistant trainer for the Cincinnati Reds. "We have hired one of the most highly respected trainers in the game," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "Nick brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the Royals' organization. "I'm extremely confident that he will lead and direct our medical programs in a very progressive and dynamic manner.""
Greinke among those honored by Negro Leagues Museum
Comment
October 22
Kansas City Star
 
"Yet another award for Zack Greinke. In what figures to be a long line of honors, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Wednesday selected Greinke as its AL Bullet Rogan Award winner as the American League's best pitcher. Chris Carpenter is the National League winner, with Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols winning the Oscar Charleston MVP awards for the AL and NL, respectively. Bud Selig is the Buck O'Neil Award winner, presented for outstanding support of the museum, and Joe Morgan is the Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award winner for career excellence in the face of adversity."
Greinke leads Legacy awards
Comment
October 22
Kansas City Star
 
"Another day, another award for Zack Greinke - this one on his 26th birthday. In what figures to be a long line of honors leading up to the American League Cy Young Award on Nov. 17, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum named Greinke their AL Bullet Rogan Award winner as the AL's best pitcher. The awards will be formally presented in January at the museum's 10th Annual Legacy Awards, to be held at the downtown Convention Center. Chris Carpenter is the NL's winner, with Joe Mauer and Albert Pujols winning the Oscar Charleston MVP awards for the AL and NL, respectively. Bud Selig is the Buck O'Neil Award winner, presented for outstanding support of the museum, and Joe Morgan is the Jackie ..."
Greinke picked by The Sporting News as AL pitcher of the year
Comment
October 22
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals ace Zack Greinke received a present Wednesday - on his 26th birthday - from The Sporting News: He was honored by the online magazine as the American League pitcher of the year. Greinke won the award in a vote by 31 major-league general managers and assistant general managers. Bret Saberhagen, the 1989 recipient, is the only other Royals pitcher to win the award. The Sporting News' result typically is a harbinger of the Cy Young Award, which is generally viewed as the game's most prestigious honor for pitchers. The Sporting News' last 14 AL winners went on to win the Cy Young balloting. Greinke went 16-8 for a 65-97 club and led the majors with a 2.16 earned-run average. San ..."
Former Wolfson standout Billy Butler is royalty with Kansas City Royals
Comment
October 20
Jacksonville Times-Union
 columnist Gene Frenette
"Nobody could blame former Wolfson High star Billy Butler if he secretly desired to suit up for the New York Yankees or another big-market, contending ballclub. Being stuck in Kansas City with the money-challenged Royals (one winning season since 1994) can seem like the equivalent of a baseball wasteland. If Butler were a greedy, self-centered egomaniac, he might long for greener pastures. But the 23-year-old first baseman saw the big picture when the Royals drafted him with the No. 14 overall pick five years ago. He wants to be part of the solution in Kansas City, no matter how long it might take to fix the talent-challenged franchise. "The Yankees are sitting there and can buy pretty much ..."
Moustakas off to big start in Arizona Fall League
Comment
October 17
Kansas City Star
 
"Maybe the Royals were right: All third baseman Mike Moustakas needed to do to unlock his swing was get away from the cavernous ballpark at Class A Wilmington. Moustakas had two doubles, a homer and seven RBIs Thursday in leading the Surprise Rafters to a 12-5 victory over Mesa in the Arizona Fall League. That followed an RBI double in four at-bats on Wednesday in his fall-league debut. That's just what Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo, who oversees the scouting and farm departments, predicted when asked recently about Moustakas' suspect numbers at Wilmington. "I know people are up and down on his year," Picollo said, "but he's a power hitter who has (16) home runs and (86) ..."
Three minor-league players retained
Comment
October 14
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals started their off-season personnel moves by retaining three minor-league players who were eligible to become free agents: outfielder/first baseman Scott Thorman and two left-handed pitchers, Kelvin Villa and Carlos Rivas. All three are former Atlanta prospects. The Royals did not retain veteran right-hander Brandon Duckworth, who spent the last 3½ years in the organization. Duckworth, 33, was 3-6 with a 5.31 ERA in 20 games last season at Class AAA Omaha. Thorman, 27, is a left-handed hitter whom the Royals signed May 21 following his April 27 release by the Class AAA Oklahoma City, a Texas affiliate. He batted .297 in 97 games for Omaha with 19 homers and 63 RBIs. The Braves ..."
Soria honored as baseball's top reliever for September
Comment
October 9
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals closer Joakim Soria sure knows how to close out a season. Soria was honored Thursday as the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month for September after converting all 10 save opportunities and pitching 13 2/3 scoreless innings in 12 appearances. It marks the second straight season that Soria won the award in September. The award is determined through a vote by a Major League Baseball panel and seeks to recognize each month's "most outstanding relief pitcher." Four other relievers received votes: Joe Nathan of the Twins, Mariano Rivera of the Yankees, Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers and Francisco Cordero of the Reds. Soria's 10-save month boosted his season total to 30 and ..."
Mizerock out as bullpen coach
Comment
October 7
Kansas City Star
 
"It didn't take long for the Royals to decide that only minor changes are needed to manager Trey Hillman's on-field coaching staff. Everyone is coming back for 2010 except bullpen coach John Mizerock, whose departure ends his 18-year association with the organization. "It's just a philosophical change that I made with regard to the bullpen coach," general manager Dayton Moore said. "Rock's expertise is as a catcher, and I want a bullpen coach whose expertise is as a pitcher." Moore also announced first-base coach Rusty Kuntz, 54, will shift to a new role as assistant to the general manager/field instructor. It was a move that Kuntz desired after the 2008 season before he agreed to return to ..."
Greinke is in an arms race for the AL Cy Young
Comment
October 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Votes are due today, so it's a good time to look at perhaps the most interesting American League Cy Young race in years. Zack Greinke, with a strong cyber-push from various baseball observers, at one point looked like a near lock. He's still the favorite, but the weekend put doubt back in the minds of some. First, Greinke gave up four runs in six innings at Minnesota, a game shown on national TV, a game Greinke called his biggest of the season. The defense didn't help him much, and there is no shame in giving up the key hit to MVP-to-be Joe Mauer. But, still: If there are voters looking for a reason to not vote for Greinke, they probably will cite an underwhelming final start. Then came ..."
Royals end with 13-4 gift to Twins
Comment
October 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Luke Hochevar now has all winter to figure out what went so wrong over the last 10 weeks. His once-gleaming potential now looms as increasingly suspect after yet another dreadful outing Sunday when the Royals closed their season in a 13-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. "I just need to clear my head and get away from it," Hochevar admitted. "I know the adjustments I need to make. I will work my butt off this off-season and come back stronger for spring training next year and have a really good season next year." It can't be any worse, can it? Hochevar yielded three homers and seven runs in just three innings, which served to strip all drama from a playoff atmosphere at the Metrodome _ until ..."
Moore, other top officials head to Arizona for season evaluations
Comment
October 6
Kansas City Star
 
"The focus on next year shifts to full-time mode today when the Royals open a series of organizational meetings at their year-round complex in Surprise, Ariz. "We'll sort of unpack the season like we always do," general manager Dayton Moore said, "and get everybody's viewpoints. We'll evaluate where we are and what we need to do. We'll look at potential trade opportunities and how we match up with other teams. "We'll be able to do that a little more in-depth as other organizations begin to narrow their focus. We've got to narrow our focus as well." The agenda also includes an evaluation of the major-league coaches. Decisions on whether to retain any or all of manager Trey Hillman's staff ..."
Power, confidence evident in rout of Royals
Comment
October 5
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"By the time Jason Kubel stepped in for his first at-bat Sunday against Royals starter Luke Hochevar, the Twins were fairly certain they were facing another elimination game, and perhaps their Metrodome farewell. The Tigers had a four-run lead in Detroit, with ace Justin Verlander on the mound. The Twins had Carl Pavano, pitching on three days' rest. But after Hochevar walked Denard Span and Joe Mauer, Kubel did something he's done so many times this season, turning a hanging breaking pitch into a towering drive to right field. The largest Twins crowd in 16 years didn't seem to believe it at first. A dull buzzing sound could be heard as the ball carried, but once everyone realized it was a ..."