This afternoon the Royals came to agreement with former Diamondback reliever Juan Cruz. The deal is worth a reported $2.25 mill this season, $3.25 mill for 2010, and a club option $4 mill for 2011, with a $500K buyout.

Last season Cruz led all National League relievers with a 12.37 strikeout rate per 9 innings. He also had a 2.61 ERA last season for the D Backs and owns career strikeout to walk rate of 535:266. Cruz was a type A free agent so the Diamondbacks will get the Royals second round pick as compensation (The top half of the first round are protected and the Royals pick 12th.)

To make room for Cruz on the 40 man roster the Royals designated Esteban German for assignment.

Cruz will add even more depth to a Royals bullpen that is really starting to take shape. With the likes of Cruz Farnsworth and Mahay at the back getting the ball to Soria, on paper it is starting to look like the bullpen maybe a strength of the 09 Royals.

So I said that I would do this every few days, but I am bored and just itching to keep moving through the reports so today I am going to discuss First Basemen.

Fighting for a Big League Spot:

Let’s start with Mike Jacobs, because out of all the first basemen in camp I would say it is pretty clear that he is the most assured of a roster spot going into the season. Jacobs was acquired this offseason in a trade that was originally intended to send pitcher Carlos Rosa to Florida, however, after Florida backed away from Rosa due to injury concerns, the Royals shipped set up man Leo Nunez out to Miami for the left handed slugging first basemen Jacobs. This move has been heavily scrutinized in the media, considered Jacobs lack of on base percentage. While Jacobs OBP scares me, I am going to say that anytime you can acquire a 30+ home run guy for a right handed set up man, then it is a deal that you should pull the trigger on. Especially if you are a GM that seems to have a knack for putting together strong bullpens, which Dayton Moore appears to be.

 Next there is 22-year-old Billy Butler. Butler has yet to live up to the hype that has surrounded him as he arose through the Royals’ minor league system, but at the same time he is still only 22. Going into the season it seems that Royal fans have all but given up hope for Butler to figure out how to use a glove, however, sources have said that Butler thus far has played a more consistent first base than Mike Jacobs. Combine that with the fact that Butler has previously said that he feels more comfortable at the plate when he is playing the field, and that Jacobs has no problem with being a full time DH, then one could come to the conclusion that Butler will go into the year as the everyday first baseman and Jacobs as the everyday DH. I think this would be the ideal situation for the Royals as long as Butler could play average, or close to average defense. I also, expect Butler to have a very strong showing this year and flirt with a line of .295/.345/.450. Butler is one of the wild cards for the Royals this season (along with Gordon and Greinke) and if he breaks out could mean the difference between wins in the upper 70s, or getting up into the 80s and being in a playoff hunt.

Ross Gload is a gritty, hard-nosed player that does all the little things that a team needs to do to win a baseball game, or would say the Royals coaching staff. When I see Gload I see a consistent player and can provide above average defense at first base, but has one of the worst bats in the league when it comes to first basemen. (Actually there is statistical evidence to show that last season Gload was the worst among everyday first basemen.) Gload will most likely make the team again this season and provide a late inning defensive replacement, and occasional corner outfielder. This is fine by me, although I would much rather have this role, solely belong to Teahen. But Teahen can’t provide the Defense at first that Gload can, and I seriously doubt the coaching staff would even consider going into the season without the assurance of a strong glove at first.

Mark Teahen is also a possibility at first, but currently the Royals are giving him a shot at second base. But if Butler or Jacobs were to be injured and the Teahen at second experiment fails, I could see Teahen sliding to first to take up the full time job.

Ryan Shealy came to Kansas City a couple of years ago, in a trade with Colorado that sent Denny Bautista and Jeremy Affeldt to the Rocky Mountains. Shealy came with loads of promise and in some ways continues to have the same promise. For example last September when Shealy hit 7 home runs in just 73 at bats. However, Shealy has been injury prone and is out of options. The word on the street also is that GMDM is actively trying to find a trade partner to give Shealy an opportunity elsewhere. If no partner can be found, Shealy will most likely be claimed off waivers before the season starts.

Kila Ka’aihue last season won the Royals Minor League Player of the Year award after posting a line of .314/.456/.628 and being second in the minors in home runs with 37. The brass of Kansas City would like to give Ka’aihue more time in Omaha before making him a regular in the Majors. But if Jacobs or Butler go down Ka’aihue should be the first option down on the farm as a replacement.

Pinch Fillers:

With the depth of first basemen that the Royals have that are expected to make the Major League roster, the only real option in AAA will be Ka’aihue. Even if Jacobs or Butler go down with an injury, the Royals may elect to go with either Ross Gload or Mark Teahen at first before they make the call to Omaha for some Hawaiian Punch.

Keep Your Eye On:

Eric Hosmer: Hosmer was selected with the third overall selection in the 2008 draft and signed for a club record bonus of $6 million. Depending on the publication Hosmer is rated either 1st or 2nd among Royals prospects and according to Jim Callis is the 12th best prospect in all of minor league baseball. According to baseball America Hosmer is the best pure and power hitter in the Royals organization. Unlike most power hitters his age, Hosmer already has the ability to hit bombs to the opposite field. Hosmer could start the season the same place that Mike Moustakas did a year ago, Burlington Iowa in the Midwest League, or the Royals could send Hosmer to Wilmington in the Carolina League to catch him up with Moustakas, Giavotella and others.

Clint Robinson: After tearing up the Pioneer League at Idaho Falls for a .336 average and 15 homers in only 253 at bats, Robinson was sent to the Midwest League for the 2008 season. There Robinson hit .266, but continued to show decent pop by hitting 17 home runs with a .472 Slug. Unfortunately Robinson is a little old (24) for his level to be considered a strong prospect, but nonetheless if Robinson can continue to post strong numbers he could be a fun name to watch.

Jason Taylor: The other first basemen for Burlington last season, Taylor was a second round pick in 2006. Taylor is rated as the 17th best prospect in the minors by Baseball America and if not for some suspensions would probably be rated much higher. (Taylor will begin this season by serving a 50 game suspension.) Taylor has a .372 OBP in his minor league career and last season swiped a total of 40 bases while clubbing 17 home runs. Taylor is 21-years-old and hopefully can get back on the right track and be a productive player someday for the big league club.

Left handed reliever Neal Musser whom had been placed on waivers on Feb 19, was given his release today.

Last season Musser pitched one scoreless inning of relief and in 2007 pitched in 24.2 innings with and ERA of 4.38.

While this may hurt the organizational depth of Left Handed relievers, assistant General Manager Dean Taylor said on 610 today that the organization felt there were plenty of other left handers who could fill the same role and that they felt it best to allow Musser to pursue other opportunities.

Every few days, I am going to give a brief breakdown of a certain position for the Royals. This breakdown will include who is competing for big league spots, major league ready guys who can fill-in in a pinch, and the guys to be most excited about down on the farm. Today I am going to start with catchers.

Fighting for a Big League Spot:

There are nine catchers in big league camp this spring, but realistically there are only three who are fighting for spots on the major league roster: Miguel Olivo, John Buck, and Brayan Pena, all three of which are on the 40 man roster. (Other Spring invitees include Cody Clark, J.R. House, Jeff Howell, John Suomi, Keil Thibault, and Matt Tupman.)

In exercising Miguel Olivo’s mutual option, it seems as if both sides expect Olivo to be the primary catcher going into the season. At times this past season Olivo appeared to be displeased with his role as backup catcher heading into the season and one would assume that only by assuring Olivo the majority of the starts behind the plate the Royals would be able to lure him back for another season. Olivo had a dreadful .278 OBP last season, but with a decent power showing (12 homers and a .444 Slug) the Royals will give him a shot as the starting catcher.

John Buck is entering his sixth season as a member of the Kansas CIty Royals, and is coming off of what is arguably most dissappointing season, where he experienced career lows in home runs, and slugging percentage, while at the same time experiencing a career high in strikeouts. I expect Olivo and Buck to switch roles this season, which would mean that Buck would still get his fair share of at bats. I expect Buck to finish the season with numbers better than last season, but nothing extraordinary.

Finally, there is Brayan Pena, a catcher from the Braves organization who was snatched off waivers by Dayton Moore last season. Going into the offseason I fully expected Pena to make the team as the backup catcher, and even after the Royals and Olivo exercised their mutual option, I half expected Buck to be non tendered to save a few million and open up a spot for Pena. However, both Buck and Olivo are back meaning that unless, a move is made during spring training Pena will start the season in AAA and serve as an option if either Buck or Olivo go down with an injury.

Pinch Fillers:

Because Pena will most likely be sent to AAA and because he is the only other catcher on the 40 man roster, he will probably be the first option for the major league club. But there are also a few other guys who could get the call if they are sparkling in Omaha. These include former Pirate top prospect J.R. House, minor league rule 5 draftee John Suomi, or Matt Tupman.

Keep Your Eye On:

Salvador Perez: Perez is ranked as the top catching prospect and the 19th best overall prospect in the Royals organization by Baseball America. Last season between Rookie League Burlington and Idaho Falls the 18-year-old Perez went .361/.409/.482

Jose Bonilla: Bonilla is ranked as the second best catching prospect and 26th best prospect overall in the Royals Organization by Baseball America. Bonilla is a 20-year-old signee from the Dominican Republic who has a little bit of power (5 homers and a .625 SLUG in 112 ABs for the AZL Royals) and has more of a prototypical catcher’s build than Perez. Bonilla is 5-10, 180 while Perez is 6-3, 175.