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Kansas City Royals News

Brett's company sued over necklaces' health claims
February 8
Kansas City Star
 
"A lawsuit against a company led by Royals legend George Brett alleges that the firm misrepresented the health benefits of wearing its jewelry. The lawsuit resembles legal action last year that crushed a leader of the so-called "performance jewelry" industry. Lawyers filed suit Monday in federal court in Des Moines, alleging that Brett Bros. Sports International misrepresented how its necklaces and other accessories could improve the wearer's sports performance. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, said that Seth Thompson of Adel, Iowa, purchased a Brett Bros. Ionic necklace for about $30 at the 2011 College World Series in Omaha, Neb. "(Thompson) hoped to experience the increased"
Gordon, Royals appear close on one-year deal
February 7
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals appear close to an agreement with left fielder Alex Gordon on a one-year contract that would eliminate the need for a Feb. 16 arbitration hearing in Tampa, Fla. Gordon, who turns 28 on Friday, filed an arbitration request for $5.45 million, while the club countered at $4.15 million. Gordon made $1.4 million last season when he produced a breakout offensive season and won a Gold Glove for defensive excellence. Major League labor rules permit the two sides to reach a negotiated settlement until an arbitration ruling is announced. The arbitrator must select one of the two submitted figures."
Alex Gordon hearing date approaching
February 4
Kansas City Star
 
"It's now 12 days and counting until left fielder Alex Gordon and the Royals are scheduled to head to an arbitration hearing on Feb. 16. The two sides exchanged figures on Jan. 17. Gordon is believed to have asked for $5.45 million, while the Royals countered at $4.15 million. Both parties can agree to a settlement up until the point in which the arbitrator issues a ruling. But the Feb. 16 date — four days before pitchers and catchers report to spring training — could also serve as a soft deadline if the club wants to work out an oft-discussed long-term extension for Gordon. Late last week, Gordon told The Star that the two sides had continued communication, and Royals general manager"
Sources: Playoff expansion has issues
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig continues to talk confidently about expanding the baseball playoff field in 2012. But sources tell ESPN.com efforts to make that happen remain bogged down, all because of one thorny little complication: the details. Wednesday was supposed to be the day the commissioner's office finished a proposed schedule for the 2012 postseason and shipped it to the players' association for consideration. But sources told ESPN.com that deadline wasn't going to be met -- not because talks have broken down, but because fitting two extra wild-card pieces into the postseason puzzle has proven to be more involved than the commissioner has been willing to acknowledge. The new"
Royals add new power to their lineup: solar power
February 1
Kansas City Star
 
"The Kansas City Royals baseball team is getting greener with the largest in-stadium solar array generating electricity in Major League Baseball. The 160 solar panels, which have been installed and tested, are expected to produce 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power four homes. That won't be enough to meet all the stadium's electricity needs but should provide most if not all of a crucial element of the game. "Your beer is going to be cooled by the sun," said Chuck Caisley, a spokesman for Kansas City Power & Light. The move into solar energy comes as Major League Baseball is making a push to encourage teams to be energy efficient and use more renewable"
Detroit's Fielder signing doesn't change Royals' plans
January 31
Kansas City Star
 
"It's now been seven days and counting since the Detroit Tigers shook up the American League by agreeing to a nine-year deal, $214 million deal with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. The megacontract for Fielder, a former Brewers slugger, came nearly a week after the Tigers lost designated hitter Victor Martinez because of a season-ending knee injury. And if there was any doubt before, the addition of Fielder made things quite clear: Detroit will be favored to win the AL Central for a second straight year. This, of course, is not good news for the Royals, who had emerged during the offseason as a 2012 sleeper after a solid finish in 2011. Still, general manager Dayton Moore says, the"
Starling leads four Royals prospects on MLB.com's Top 100 list
January 28
Kansas City Star
 
"The annual winter train of prospect rankings continued on Wednesday night as MLB.com released its list of top 100 prospects in the game. Center fielder Bubba Starling, the Royals' first-round pick in 2011, came in at No. 17, leading a group of four Royals prospects in the top 50. Outfielder Wil Myers was ranked 19th; left-handed starter Mike Montgomery came in at No. 31; and right-handed starter Jake Odorizzi was slotted in at No. 47. The MLB.com list came nearly a week after Baseball America published its list of the top 10 prospects in the Royals' system. That list included the same top four, but in different order: 1. Montgomery; 2. Starling; 3. Myers; 4. Odorizzi."
Selig expects two one-game playoffs for this fall
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Baseball appears ready for an extra round of wild-card playoffs by this fall, according to commissioner Bud Selig. "I really believe we'll have the (extra) wild card for this year," Selig said Friday at SoxFest. "Clubs really want it. I don't think I've ever seen an issue that the clubs want more than to have the extra wild card." The extra round would be one-game elimination in both the National and American Leagues to the teams who would have missed the playoffs as they are set up now. Some have argued for a best-of-three, but that appears impossible with the scheduled all but set for 2012."
Frank White joins T-Bones, shuts door on Royals
January 27
Kansas City Star
 columnist Sam Mellinger
"The divorce is final now. No reconciliation is coming, and no happy ending. Just more of a bitter war between the Royals and a hometown man whose statue stands in front of the stadium he literally helped build with a construction job one summer. Frank White played so well over 18 seasons that the Royals retired his number. He has done hundreds of public appearances on their behalf, worked in the front office, and broadcast games on radio and TV. Once, he dreamed of managing them. But now he is a full-time employee for the T-Bones, coaching in the low-budget outpost of minor-league baseball and swearing off the only big-league team he's ever truly loved. White is done with the Royals. He's"
Myers, Montgomery among players invited to Royals' major-league camp
January 26
Kansas City Star
 
"In the spring of 2011, Eric Hosmer showed up to major-league spring training as a 21-year-old non-roster invitee. It was his first opportunity to go through a major-league camp, and Hosmer used those weeks as a springboard to a rookie season that began with a call-up in early May and finished with glittering numbers and numerous accolades. On Wednesday, the Royals announced their non-roster invitees for this year's big-league camp, offering the same spring-training audition to a group of 16 minor leaguers, including top prospects Wil Myers and Mike Montgomery. And the story of Hosmer's path to Kansas City isn't lost on Myers, a 21-year-old outfielder recently ranked as the club's"
Report: Reds, Jeff Francis agree to deal
January 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman is reporting on Twitter that the Reds have agreed to sign free agent left-hander Jeff Francis to a minor-league deal. Earlier, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal had Tweeted that the Reds were close to signing Francis to a minor-league deal. Francis spent 2011 with the Royals, posting a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts. His record was 6-16. His 183 innings of work was his highest total since 2007 (when he went 17-9 for the Rockies and finished ninth in NL Cy Young voting), before he suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the entire 2009 season. In seven Major League seasons, Francis is 61-66 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.430 WHIP. In five career starts against the Reds,"
MLB allows retired Tony La Russa to manage in All-Star game against Ron Washington
January 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"Tony La Russa will come out of retirement to manage the National League team for the July 10 All-Star Game at Kansas City. La Russa will go against Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, who will handle the American League team for the second consecutive season. La Russa retired shortly after St. Louis defeated the Rangers in the seven-game World Series."
Orioles agree to terms with utility man Betemit
January 24
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with infielder Wilson Betemit, according to an industry source. The deal, which includes an option for a third year, is pending a physical. The 30-year-old switch hitter batted .285 with a .343 on-base percentage in 97 games with the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers last year."
Royals agree to deals with Hochevar, Paulino and Sanchez
January 18
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals continued a busy couple days on Tuesday by agreeing to terms on one-year contracts with pitchers Luke Hochevar, Jonathan Sanchez and Felipe Paulino and outfielder Mitch Maier. By crafting deals with all four players, the Royals avoided four potential arbitration hearings and continued an offseason trend. Hochevar, the Royals' opening-day starter in 2011, will make $3.51 million this season after pocketing $1.76 million in 2011. Paulino's deal is worth $1.9 million, a raise from a salary of $790,000 last season. And Sanchez, acquired this offseason from San Francisco in exchange for outfielder Melky Cabrera, will make $5.6 million, with an additional $200,000 available in"
Royals need to get long-term deal done with Alex Gordon
January 18
Kansas City Star
 columnist Sam Mellinger
"Alex Gordon did not get a long-term contract on Tuesday, instead merely processing through baseball's standard arbitration process with the Royals, which means one more day that's gone with each side missing an opportunity that isn't coming back. Right now, today, is the best environment the Royals will have to sign their reigning player of the year to a long-term deal. And right now, today, is the best environment Gordon will have to ensure his family a few generations worth of financial security by signing to stay in the only place he's ever wanted to play. In other words: Get this done. Like, now."
Royals agree on one-year deals with Brayan Pena, Chris Getz
January 17
Kansas City Star
 
"It was just past lunchtime in Miami when Brayan Pena's phone starting ringing. If most 75-degree winter days in south Florida are good days, Pena grabbed his cell and quickly explained why this day felt better than most. Early Monday, the Royals and Pena agreed to terms on a one-year deal for $875,000. The contract allowed the Royals to avoid arbitration, and it provided Pena, a veteran catcher, with some peace of mind: After three years as a part-time player in Kansas City, he'll have the opportunity to return to Surprise, Ariz., in February and compete for a roster spot as the Royals' backup catcher."
Royals sign veteran Kouzmanoff to minor-league deal
January 15
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals have reached an agreement with veteran third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff on a minor-league deal, club officials confirmed on Saturday morning. The deal, which includes an invitation to big-league camp, is believed to be worth $1 million, plus incentives, if Kouzmanoff makes the major-league club. It's also believed to include a stipulation that could allow Kouzmanoff to be granted his release if he's still in the minors on May 1. The move should provide depth and insurance at a position that will be manned by Mike Moustakas, who is entering his first season of full-time major-league duty after batting .263 with five homers in 338 at-bats over 89 games in 2011. Moustakas, however,"
Brett says young Royals remind him of his playing days
January 15
Kansas City Star
 
"The words are flowing quickly from George Brett's mouth. The greatest player in Royals history can't stop talking about winning baseball in Kansas City. It's a cold January afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, small pockets of snow still covering parts of the parking lot, and Brett finally has to lean over a bit and catch his breath. He's saying the same names and phrases you've heard before. Eric Hosmer can be a star. And the young left-handed pitchers can turn into studs. And guys like Johnny Giavotella and Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez can win with talent AND chemistry. "What were they doing in Double-A two years ago?" Brett says. "They were voted the best (darn) team in all of"
Royals will get national attention early in season
January 13
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals will earn some national exposure during the first weekend of the season. Kansas City's opening-day matchup against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, April 6, will be showcased nationally on ESPN2, but you won't see that broadcast if you're in Kansas City. Fox Sports Kansas City, the Royals' official rights holder, will carry the game, meaning the ESPN2 broadcast will be blacked out locally. However, the Royals could be back in the spotlight on the second day of the season; that game is expected to be part of Fox's national Saturday baseball package. It will be broadcast in Kansas City and Los Angeles, and with Albert Pujols playing his first series for the Angels, it could be an"
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer making offseason adjustments
January 12
Kansas City Star
 
"The text message appeared, and Eric Hosmer took a moment to study the invitation on the face of his phone. This was a few weeks ago, and Hosmer was back home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. And now, some 36-year-old major-league veteran with a south Florida address was interrupting his offseason with a simple offer. "Hey, this is Alex … you're welcome whenever you want to come hit." So you may know that Hosmer, the Royals' 22-year-old first baseman, is a baseball junkie, a kid who built something of a legendary reputation as a teenager for his marathon workouts. But these days, Hosmer can admit he's learned at least one more thing about working out during his first offseason as a major-leaguer:"
Royals announce minor-league coaches
January 10
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals filled out their minor-league coaching staffs Monday, announcing a few changes for their top affiliates. Mike Jirschele will return to manage Class AAA Omaha for a 10th straight season, while Brian Poldberg will continue at Class AA Northwest Arkansas for a fifth straight year. Manager Vance Wilson will move to Class A (advanced) Wilmington this year after guiding Class A Kane County to the playoffs last season in his debut season as a minor-league manager."
Butler gets Hutch Award
January 6
Kansas City Star
 
"After another productive season at the plate, Royals designated hitter Billy Butler garnered some national recognition on Thursday. Butler, 25, will receive the 47th annual Hutch Award, an honor given each year to a major league baseball player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of baseball great Fred Hutchinson, both for on-field achievement and off-the-field work. Butler will accept the award on Feb. 1 at Safeco Field in Seattle in a presentation that will include a keynote address by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. Hutchinson, a Seattle native, was a longtime player and manager who died of cancer in 1964. Butler batted .291 with 19 homers and 44 doubles in 2011, his"
Late-developing market for late-inning types
December 26
Foxsports.com
 
"Yes, Ryan Madson and Francisco Cordero are still out there. "The trade market snuck up on these free-agent closers," the NL executive said. "They should have taken the money and ran. All of a sudden, (Huston) Street, (Andrew) Bailey and (Brandon) League are out there. That's a significant impact on the free-agent pool that's normally not there." Street was dealt from Colorado to San Diego. Bailey (A's) and League (Mariners) are still available. Some in the industry believe Joakim Soria (Royals) and Carlos Marmol (Cubs) could be had for the right price. With those cost-controlled alternatives, it's understandable why clubs have been reluctant to offer Madson a four-year contract. For now,"
Royals pick up lefty reliever Jose Mijares
December 22
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals crossed another item off their offseason checklist on Wednesday, signing left-handed reliever Jose Mijares to a one-year deal worth $925,000. The announcement came just one day after the club spent $2 million to re-acquire veteran infielder Yuniesky Betancourt to fill a utility role. And with the 40-man roster now full, it could potentially be the last significant addition of the offseason. The Royals, along with their other offseason needs, had been searching for another left-handed solution in their bullpen, and Mijares, who spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Twins, will likely serve as a situational lefty."
Oswalt may be willing to sign for one year
December 21
Kansas City Star
 
"Here's a question: Would the Royals be interested in veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt if the former Astros and Phillies starter was willing to sign a one-year deal? The Royals have consistently expressed hesitation in committing long-term years and dollars to free-agent starters this offseason. And Oswalt, who made $16 million while pitching for Philadelphia last season, was previously thought to be seeking a three-year deal. But a report Tuesday by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick suggested that Oswalt would be willing to sign a one-year deal."
Yuni's back: Royals sign Betancourt to one-year deal
December 21
Kansas City Star
 
"For the better part of the offseason, Royals general manager Dayton Moore articulated the club's need for a veteran utility infielder. The Royals, Moore said, needed someone to back up Alcides Escobar. They coveted a right-handed bat to spell Mike Moustakas against tough left-handed pitching. And they desired a measure of insurance against the possibility of injury. On Tuesday afternoon, the Royals unveiled their man: Former Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. (What? You were expecting someone else?) Betancourt, who will turn 30 on Jan. 31, signed a one-year, $2 million deal that will allow him to serve the Royals' immediate utility needs. The money could escalate to $2.5 million if"
Sources: Red Sox called on Kansas City closer Joakim Soria
December 18
WEEI Boston
 
"According to multiple sources, the Red Sox had discussions with the Royals about the possibility of dealing for Kansas City closer Joakim Soria. The talks have currently failed to progress, however, with KC seeking (according to a source) at least "a couple solid pieces." (Translation: the kind of players the Red Sox aren't going to be putting in a deal for Soria.) The 27-year-old Soria — whom the Red Sox did have some interest in at the 2010 non-waiver trade deadline — is coming off his worst season, converting 28 of 35 save opportunities, while finishing with a 4.03 ERA. Opponents hit .259 off of the righty, who hadn't allowed an OBA of higher than .219 in any of his previous four"
Royals grant release of minor-league pitcher Santiago
December 15
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals have granted the release of minor-league right-hander Mario Santiago, a move that will allow Santiago to sign with SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization. Santiago, who will turn 27 on Friday, recorded a 3.70 ERA in 35 appearances (11 starts) in 2011 while splitting time between Class AAA Omaha and Class AA Northwest Arkansas. In 2010, he helped Northwest Arkansas to the Texas League title while compiling a 6-6 record with a 3.56 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) for the Naturals."
Royals sign four to minor-league deals
December 14
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals added four more players to the organization Tuesday, officially announcing minor-league deals for outfielder Greg Golson, right-handed pitcher Juan Gutierrez, left-hander Francisley Bueno and catcher Max Ramirez. The club previously announced the signing of seven players to minor-league contracts on Dec. 1, including utility infielder Tony Abreu and right-handed pitcher Zach Miner. It's likely that some of the deals will include an invite to major-league spring training. The Royals will announce those invites at a later date, but veterans with major-league experience typically don't sign minor-league deals without a guaranteed invitation to big-league spring training."
Royals offer contracts to all unsigned players except Laffey
December 13
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals opted to risk arbitration with seven of eight eligible players Monday by tendering formal contract offers to all unsigned players except left-handed reliever Aaron Laffey before the 11 p.m. deadline. That decision means catcher Brayan Pena, infielder Chris Getz, outfielders Alex Gordon and Mitch Maier, and pitchers Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino and Jonathan Sanchez have the option of arbitration if they fail to reach a negotiated agreement. The Royals acquired Laffey, 26, in an Oct. 11 waiver claim from the New York Yankees. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time after making $431,600 while going a combined 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 47 games for Seattle and New York."
Royals face decisions before deadline for offering contracts
December 12
Kansas City Star
 
"Money talks, and today's topic is the Royals' roster. All clubs face a deadline of 11 tonight to offer contracts to players under their control. It's commonly called the tender date, and those players who don't receive an offer — those who are "nontendered" — become free agents. "There could be some guys (who are nontendered)," general manager Dayton Moore said, "but we'll try to get deals done with all of those guys." The hook here centers on those players eligible for arbitration — and the Royals have eight of them. A formal contract offer to such players binds the club to arbitration if the two sides fail to reach an agreement."
Royals pick reliever in Rule 5 draft before trading him to Yankees
December 9
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals pulled off a bit of misdirection Thursday in the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings by selecting a lefty reliever – an identified area of need – and immediately flipping him to the New York Yankees for $100,000. The draft-and-deal came roughly 12 hours after the Royals cleared space on their 40-man roster in order to make a selection by dealing infielder Yamaico Navarro to Pittsburgh for two minor-league players. "It frees us up in our roster situation," general manager Dayton Moore said. "That's what we were looking for – the flexibility. That's why we sold our pick today. This puts us in a position to continue to try to strengthen our 25-man roster. The Royals used the fifth"
Eight pitchers among 12 drafted in Rule 5
December 8
MLB.com
 
"It was short and sweet -- not to mention upstaged by a very large free-agent signing -- but another Rule 5 Draft came and went with a host of Minor Leaguers hoping their selection will be a ticket to a better future. Twelve players were taken in the Major League phase, with 25 more going in the Triple-A and Double-A phases of the Rule 5 Draft. During the Major League phase, eligible players left unprotected from their clubs' 40-man rosters could be selected for $50,000. A player selected must now remain on his drafting team's active Major League roster next season or be offered back to the original club for $25,000. During the Triple-A and Double-A phases it costs less to take a player and"
Royals trade Navarro to Pirates
December 8
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals traded infielder Yamaico Navarro to Pittsburgh for two minor-league players late Wednesday in a clock-beating move that cleared a roster space before this morning's Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings. "There are a few pitchers and a couple of position players who we like," general manager Dayton Moore said, "but none of them are slam dunks to make our club. I'm not sure where we're going to have that room to carry a Rule 5 pitcher or position player." Even so, the Royals opted to trade Navarro, who played primarily at Class AAA Omaha after arriving last July 30 with minor-league pitcher Kendal Volz in a trade that sent infielder Mike Aviles to Boston."
Royals targeting veteran infielders for utility role
December 8
Kansas City Star
 
"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.""
Pirates acquire Navarro from Kansas City
December 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates acquired Kansas City Royals infielder Yamaico Navarro from the Kansas City Royals in a trade this evening. The Pirates marted with minor league pitcher Brooks Pounders and infielder Diego Goris. Navarro, 24, hit .206 in 42 career major league games -- 36 with the Red Sox and six with the Royals. He hit .264 with seven home runs and 11 doubles in 59 minor league games between the Red Sox' and Royals' Class AAA teams. Pounders, 20, finished last season in Class A West Virginia, where he went 5-5 with a 3.68 ERA in 36 games. He made one start."
Royals' spring battles for rotation and bullpen already coming into focus
December 7
Kansas City Star
 
"The search by the Royals for further rotation help remains ongoing, but general manager Dayton Moore characterizes another major acquisition as unlikely, and manager Ned Yost is comfortable with his current options. "We've upgraded," Yost said. "We like what we've done so far. We'll continue to look to upgrade. It's an area we wanted to address this winter, and we've done that." The Royals are also seeking a situational left-handed reliever as an alternative to inconsistent Tim Collins. Sifting through those possibilities, like the search for a starter, is likely to extend beyond Thursday morning's conclusion to the winter meetings. "There's a lot of work that gets done here," Moore said."
Winter meetings notebook: Royals unlikely to shift Montgomery to bullpen
December 7
Kansas City Star
 
"A year ago, the Royals shifted right-hander Aaron Crow to the bullpen, after a disappointing season in the minors, as an acclimation step to the big leagues — and it paid off big. Crow put together a dominant first half that turned him into an All-Star. Don't look for the Royals to take the same approach next season with left-hander Mike Montgomery, a top prospect who was 5-11 with a 5.32 ERA last season at Class AAA Omaha, even though they continue to seek an impact lefty for their bullpen. "Mike Montgomery is still just 22," general manager Dayton Moore said, "and, if you believe he's going to be an impact starter, it makes no sense, at that age, to move him to the bullpen."
Winter meetings notebook: Royals looking for situational lefty reliever
December 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Adding former All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton doesn't necessarily mean the Royals are done beefing up their bullpen. The search is on for a veteran situational lefty to serve as an alternative to inconsistent Tim Collins. "We're looking to upgrade into a guy who can get a tough out in the seventh or eighth to get us to (Joakim) Soria or Broxton or (Greg) Holland," manager Ned Yost said. Collins, 22, filled that role last season as a rookie while going 4-4 with a 3.63 ERA in a club-high 68 appearances. But his 48 walks in 67 innings amounted to 6.4 per nine innings, a rate that topped all American League pitchers who worked as least 35 innings. Alternatives are in short supply."
Yost says he expects Royals to 'play much better than .500' next season
December 6
Kansas City Star
 
"Royals manager Ned Yost is ready to up the ante as he looks ahead to next season. The patience required in the nurturing stage of a rebuilding program will now increasingly yield to demands stemming from heightened expectations. And Yost is setting the bar high. "Playing .500 has never entered my mind," he said in dismissing what would represent a 10-victory improvement and a level achieved only once by the Royals since 1994. "I think we're going to play much better than .500. "But who knows? These kids all have to perform. They all have to continue to develop and grow, but I think we're at a stage in our development as an organization that these kids are ready for (increased"
Royals' offseason shopping nearly done as winter meetings begin
December 5
Kansas City Star
 
"So what's left this week for the Royals as the baseball industry gathers over the next four days at the spacious Hilton Anatole hotel for its annual winter meetings? After all … . General manager Dayton Moore and his staff arrive having already fleshed out the club's rotation — the top offseason priority — by acquiring left-hander Jonathan Sanchez from San Francisco and retaining free-agent lefty Bruce Chen. The Royals believe they further aided that rotation in beefing up their bullpen by signing former All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton to serve as a setup reliever for Joakim Soria."
Major League Baseball HGH program has a loophole: no in-season testing
December 4
Washington Post
 
"Anti-doping experts and political figures have taken great pains in the last two weeks to laud Major League Baseball for a new agreement to test players for human growth hormone beginning next spring. When that happens, MLB could beat the NFL to the distinction of becoming the first U.S. pro sports major league to implement HGH analysis, after years of entrenched resistance to blood testing. But baseball's program contains a loophole that could allow use of HGH from opening day until the end of the World Series, experts say, at a time when a rigorous testing program could make a big impact. For the first year at least, MLB will conduct more than 1,000 HGH tests — more than any Olympic"
Royals dump former star and KC favorite Frank White
December 3
Kansas City Star
 
"For so many years, Frank White's story sounded like a Kansas City fairy tale. He was the local kid done good, a raw athlete from Lincoln High School who turned into a Gold Glove second baseman for his hometown major-league team. He was a World Series champion, a community icon, an aspiring manager in the Royals' minor-league system and a broadcaster who endeared himself to fans with a player's perspective and a constant chuckle. But on Friday morning, White woke up to a new chapter. For the first time in more than 15 years, he was a man with no formal ties to the Kansas City Royals organization. His final connection — a job as a color commentator for Royals' games on television — had been"
Team signs seven to minor-league deals
December 2
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals announced the signing of seven players to minor-league contracts on Thursday. Among the notable moves: The club re-signed right-handed pitcher Zach Miner and infielder Jamie Romak, who played in the organization in 2011. The Royals also acquired utility infielder Tony Abreu, who spent time with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks during 2007-10. The other additions: Left-handed pitchers Marlon Arias and Tommy Hottovy, a Kansas City native, and infielders Eric Duncan and Sharlon Schoop. Miner, 29, showed some promise in the bullpen late last season after returning from Tommy John surgery in May 2010. He was 1-6 with a 7.16 ERA in 11 starts for Class AA Northwest Arkansas before"
Players Association ratifies new agreement
December 1
MLB.com
 
"The Major League Baseball Players Association ratified a new five-year Basic Agreement forged by the union and the owners on Thursday at its executive board meeting in Irving, Texas. The deal, which will expire on Dec. 1, 2016, was announced at a media conference in New York on Nov. 22. The owners are in the process of approving the pact, which will give MLB 21 years of labor peace by the time it is through, although approval is considered to be a formality. The owners meet again for their first quarterly session of 2012 on Jan. 11-12 in Paradise Valley, Ariz."
Royals reliever Broxton feels good
December 1
Kansas City Star
 
"The recruiting pitch included a Georgia hunting trip, one dead white-tail deer, and comedian Jeff Foxworthy. For Jonathan Broxton, a Georgia boy from tiny Waynesboro, an offseason day doesn't get much better. But for Broxton, the Royals' newest setup man, the free-agent selling points were really more about his hunting partners and what they told him about Kansas City. Royals manager Ned Yost joined the hunting party in LaGrange, Ga., and told Broxton about the family culture in the Royals organization. Right-fielder Jeff Francoeur came along and talked about the collection of young and hungry talent in the Royals' clubhouse. "When I went hunting over there in LaGrange, there was about 10"
Royals plan is to play to their strength: the bullpen
November 30
Kansas City Star
 columnist Sam Mellinger
"The sketch outline of the most hopeful Royals team in years is filling in now, and with permanent marker. We can now see what this thing will look like. Parts of it we've already known about. They will be young, and they will be built around the hitting talent of Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler, the defensive ability of Alcides Escobar and Salvador Perez, and the all-round game of Alex Gordon. We saw glimpses of this last summer. It's the pitching that is coming into focus, first with the trade for lefty starter Jonathan Sanchez, and now with the signing of former All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton."
Chen believes in what Royals are building
November 30
Kansas City Star
 
"Bruce Chen sounded like a friendly older brother, lavishing compliments on his teammates and positing an upbeat narrative for 2012. Chen returned to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday to formalize the two-year, $9 million deal he agreed to last week, and he provided a few insights into why a return to Kansas City was so appealing. Chen, a 34-year-old left-hander, turned down offers from the Twins and Cubs. And at least one team offered more guaranteed money, Chen says. Simple truth, Chen says, is he believes in what the Royals are building."
Royals add Broxton to bullpen
November 30
Kansas City Star
 
"When Royals general manager Dayton Moore cobbled together his offseason wish list, the first item may as well have been listed in bold, uppercase font: Acquire help in the starting rotation. But after getting left-hander Jonathan Sanchez in a trade and re-signing veteran lefty Bruce Chen, the Royals moved to another strategy Tuesday. If you can't totally reinforce your weaknesses, you might as well find ways to fortify your strengths. That was part of the Royals' motive as the club agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, pending a physical. The contract is believed to be worth $4 million with an added $1 million in incentives."