2011 KC Royals - Pre-season

[RoyalShock]

It was time to retire the other topic.

I'll start this one off with the signing of Bruce Chen on a 1-year deal with incentives.

We now at least have some solid depth in the rotation:

Hochevar, Chen, Mazarro, Francis, Davies with O'Sullivan in Omaha.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

I've already started drinking.

[kcshocker11]

Watch out for 2012!

[SubGod22]

Tejeda, KC avoid arbitration with one-year deal

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals' to-do list got shorter on Monday with the signing of relief pitcher Robinson Tejeda to a one-year contract for 2011.

Tejeda's signing for $1.55 million avoided salary arbitration. He earned $950,000 last year.

That leaves just two players on the club's arbitration list, first baseman Billy Butler and pitcher Kyle Davies. The players and the team are to exchange salary figures on Tuesday.

[ShockerGorilla]

Gil Meche announces retirement

He is walking away from $12.4 million that he would be due this season. He was a decent pitcher until he started to run into shoulder problems.

[SubGod22]

Gil Meche announces retirement

He is walking away from $12.4 million that he would be due this season. He was a decent pitcher until he started to run into shoulder problems.

I can't blame the guy. I liked Meche and it's unfortunate that his first few seasons here he couldn't get the support needed for more wins. He pitched pretty darn well until the problems started. I was kinda looking forward to what he could do to help us out in the pen this year but I can't fault him for taking care of his shoulder and family and moving on. He was a quality guy and by all accounts a good presence in the club house.

[wsushox1]

Watch out for 2012!

The future is bright!

[ShockTalk]

Gil Meche announces retirement

He is walking away from $12.4 million that he would be due this season. He was a decent pitcher until he started to run into shoulder problems.

So... since Meche and his family are probably pretty well taken care of anyway, I won't feel bad for going right to the heart of it and asking "what will the Royals do with their windfall"?

[RoyalShock]

Gil Meche announces retirement

He is walking away from $12.4 million that he would be due this season. He was a decent pitcher until he started to run into shoulder problems.

So... since Meche and his family are probably pretty well taken care of anyway, I won't feel bad for going right to the heart of it and asking "what will the Royals do with their windfall"?

If it were my money, I'd be working on a contract for Billy Butler. It would include a multi-million dollar signing bonus so that the yearly salaries will be team-friendly and include club options. That way, should Kila and Hosmer prove to be the best options at 1B and DH, Butler is easily tradable.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Id rather keep Butler than Kila. Younger and more upside.

It just comes down to whether he wants to DH when Hosmer is called up.

With that said I think we could get a good haul for someone like Billy. Especially if we were to send him to the NL.

But with that said this move allows a good amount of payroll flexibility. I would like to see Billy signed. Im willing to take the low payroll and losing if that means kids are getting the experience/development that they need. Should also mean a good draft as well.

[RoyalShock]

I want to keep whichever player gives us the best production. Right now it looks like Butler (and probably will be), but Kila has yet to get a full season to prove himself.

[SubGod22]

KC's Davies signs one-year contract

KANSAS CITY -- Right-hander Kyle Davies, expected to step it up as part of the Royals' rotation this year, signed a one-year contract for 2011 on Tuesday and avoided salary arbitration.

Davies signed for $3.2 million, a sizable increase over the $1.8 million he earned last year.

That leaves first baseman Billy Butler as the Royals' only arbitration-eligible player unsigned.

Money seems a little high, but for one more year I'm OK with it. This is his last chance and he knows it.

Butler, Royals exchange arbitration figures

KANSAS CITY -- Now we know what Billy Butler thinks he's worth -- and the Royals' rebuttal.

The first baseman and designated hitter asked for $4.3 million as players and clubs filed their salary arbitration requests on Tuesday. The Royals countered with $3.4 million.

Most salary arbitration cases are settled before they reach a hearing, often at the midpoint of the two figures. In Butler's case, that's $3.85 million.

Pay him.

Prospect Watch: Top 10 third basemen

1. Mike Moustakas, Royals: Just about everything went well for this 2008 first-round Draft pick. Moustakas tied for the Minor League lead with 36 homers, was second with 124 RBIs and third with his .630 slugging percentage, all while getting promoted to Triple-A midseason. Some are concerned about his ability to stay at third, but he's got a plus arm and decent hands over there. He's knocking on the door and should bust through it at some point in 2011.

Prospect Watch: Top 10 first basemen

1. Eric Hosmer, Royals: He took the adversity he had in 2009, along with offseason LASIK eye surgery, and turned it into a huge '10. He's got tremendous plate discipline, should hit for a high average and he's still scratching the surface of his plus power. To think he'll be an annual .300-30-100-type guy, along with being a plus defender, isn't out of the question.

[SubGod22]

Prospect Watch: Top 10 second basemen

10. Johnny Giavotella, Royals: Giavotella doesn't get a lot of love prospect-wise, overshadowed by some of the elite Minor Leaguers in the Royals' system, but he can hit and get on base, as evidenced by his .322 average and .395 on-base percentage in 2010. He'll be in Triple-A, waiting for that first call to the big leagues.

[RoyalShock]

Prospect Watch: Top 10 Catchers

2. Wil Myers, Royals: Myers is another who fits into the "great bat, but can he catch?" group. There's no doubt he can hit, after a .324/.429/.533 line over 637 career plate appearances. He's got great plate discipline and should hit for plenty of power. He's even got decent speed. Having played a number of positions in high school, he's still learning how to catch, but there are those who feel he won't be able to stay behind the plate. He is athletic enough with plenty of arm strength to handle a move to the outfield should the Royals decide to go that route.

[RoyalShock]

Prospect Watch: Top 10 Shortstops

9. Christian Colon, Royals: If there was going to be a poster child for signing early, Colon might be it. He signed very quickly with the Royals after being taken No. 4 overall last June, and as a result was able to play 60 games in the Class A Advanced Carolina League. The Cal State Fullerton product has a good idea of what he's doing at the plate and should hit for average and some power. His baseball instincts allow him to play above his tools, especially at shortstop, though some believe he lacks the range to stay there. He's on the fast track and should start the year in Double-A.