Moving on there are a few things that have happened since the last time that I posted. But let’s begin with some very exciting news! Ross Gload has been traded to the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later. To be honest that player could be named half a box of cracker jacks and I would be thrilled with the deal. Even though the Royals are believed to be paying a reported 1.5 million of Gload’s 2009 salary of 1.9 million I think this is a good deal for the Royals, whom are now able to give a roster spot to a more deserving player (Ryan Shealy, Brayan Pena, or Mitch Maier)

Also, Luke Hudson has announced his retirement from the game. Luke was a great find by Dayton Moore for part of the 2007 season, but due to shoulder issues he has been unable to return to form. Hudson is best remembered for his less than stellar performance against the Cleveland Indians, when he gave up 11 runs in the first inning.

Peralta has been released. Bale been placed on the DL. The bullpen is starting to take shape with Soria, Farnsworth, Cruz, and Mahay at the back end. Plus Tejeda and Jamey Wright who have appeared to have locked up spots. This leaves one other spot which I believe will go to Doug Waechter.

Opening Day is less than 72 hours away. More posts to come!

By releasing Gobble the Royals only owe the lefty $225,000 instead of the 1.35 mill that he was scheduled to earn. I like the move it’ll save the Royals some money, and Gobble’s role can easily be filled by another option.

Against Venezuela Ponson pitched in 5 innings and gave up 2 runs in the 3-1 loss. Ponson also beat the Dominican Republic by going 4 innings and giving up only 2 runs. Last season Ponson had a 4-1 record with a 3.88 ERA in 9 starts with the Texas Rangers, and with the New York Yankees pitched in 16 games with a 4-4 record and a 5.85 ERA.

I expect Ponson to report to camp as soon as possible and compete with Bannister, Hochevar, and Horacio Ramirez for the final two rotation spots behind Meche, Greinke, and Davies.

Nothing to complain about here and Chen will most likely just add some minor league depth at starter. Chen could feasibly get the big league call if the injury bug bites the big league club hard, or if he seems to have found his old form. In 2005, Chen has a 3.83 ERA with 13 wins for the Orioles. I doubt that Chen will wind up being the lefty starter for the rotation, but my only question is if Horacio Ramirez gets a chance, what is the harm with giving Chen one?

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.

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.

Greinke will get $3.75 million this year, $7.25 million in 2010, and $13.5 million in each of the final two seasons. He only earned $1.475 million in 2008 so you can really see how big of a pay raise he is getting!

The Royals do still have three other players that they would like to get signed before arbitration hearings. Mark Teahen, Mike Jacobs and Brian Bannister are all without deals for 2009.

However they were unable to come to terms with Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke, Mike Jacobs, and Mark Teahen. The four players and the Royals will now head to a salary arbitration court next month and work out a contract in front of a judge.

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Ramirez will start out in the starting rotation while Farnsworth will be slated for the bullpen. Ramirez made 15 relief appearances for the Royals, with a 2.59 ERA and a 1-1 record. Then, on Aug. 9, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Minor League outfielder Paulo Orlando

Farnsworth will be signing a two-year deal worth $9.25 million ESPN analyst Steve Phillips is saying. The only thing that is left for Fransworth to do is take a physical. He will be a dominate right hander out of the bullpen, something the team really keyed in on to get this off season.

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This is a good trade for the Royals who could really use some more offense and speed in their lineup. If David DeJesus stays with the team through next season, expect him to move over to left field while Crisp takes over in center.

Crisp batted .283 in 118 games with seven home runs, 41 RBIs and 20 stolen bases for the Red Sox last year even thought he split time with Jacoby Ellsbury.

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