Jimmy Gobble was given his unconditional release by the Royals today, March 18. Gobble was said to be the fifth out of five options that were vying for the final two rotation spots. There are two things I will always remember about Jimmy Gobble, the first came in a start against Tampa Bay were he had a no hitter going into the 7th. The other is that Gobble was lit up like the sky on the fourth of July last season.

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.

Not long after the Cinderella Dutch team was eliminated from the World Bseball Classic, the Royals signed team catalyst and leader Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal. Ponson pitched fantastically during the WBC and earned strong recommendations from several Royals’ scouts.

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.

On Sunday, March 1 the Royals announced the signing of left handed starter to Bruce Chen. Chen will pitch for Panama in the Wolrd Baseball Classic, then is expected to report to minor league camp for the Royals.

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?

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.

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.

Zack Greinke just received a huge pay raise from the Kansas City Royals. The Royals have signed the starting pitcher to a four-year deal that is worth $38 million. I’m surprised the Royals committed that much money to one player, especially a starting pitcher. It is a good sign however because it shows that they are finally interestedin keeping one of their promising young players.

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.

The Kansas City Royals like most teams have had a busy week as the salary arbitration deadline came and gone Tuesday morning. The Royals were able to lock in contracts for John Buck, Joel Peralta and Jimmy Gobble before the deadline.

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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The Kansas City Royals needed some pitching help and they hope to have solved that in the last week has they have brought back Horacio Ramirez and also signed free agent Kyle Farnsworth.

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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The Kansas City Royals have traded for speedy outfielder Coco Crisp. The trade happened Wednesday morning between the Royals and Red Sox. The Royals will be sending relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez to the Red Sox in exchange for Crisp.

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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The Kansas City Royals and Florida Marlins have finally reached an agreement that will send Mike Jacobs to the Royals while Leo Nunez will be headed to the Marlins. The Royals wanted a new player at first base and they are hoping that Jacobs will be that solution.

Jacobs hit .299 with 32 home runs for the Marlins in 2008.

I don’t think the Royals gave up much to get Jacobs. Good trade if you ask me!

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