Royals take lefty in Rule V Draft

The Rule V Draft came today and with it the Royals selected 6-foot-1, 175 pound lefty Jose Lugo from the Minnesota Twins organization.

Lugo is by all accounts a flamethrower. Last season at single A Fort Myers he struck out 76 batters and walked 33 in 69 innings. He also gives up plenty of hits as well. He allowed 68 in 2008, but remarkably surrendered just four home runs in that span. Opponents hit .254 against him.

This isn't the first time Lugo has been a Rule V draftee either. He was signed by Oakland as non-drafted free agent on Jan. 30, 2002 and was later selected by the Twins in the minor league phase of the Rule V Draft on Dec. 8, 2005.

In 2007, Lugo went 5-6 with two saves and a 4.32 ERA in 40 appearances, he also started seven times, for Class A Beloit. In Kansas City the Royals will attempt to keep him on the roster as a power lefty in the bullpen. Lugo must remain on the Major League roster (25 man roster) throughout the duration of next season or he will have to be offered back to the Twins for half of the draft cost.

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The Royals also took several other players in the minor league portion of the draft. They also, yet again, lost another pitcher to the Houston Astros when they took minor leaguer Gilbert le la Vara in the major league portion of the draft. Here's the new additions to the organization.

AAA Phase
(First round)
--Luis Ortega, RHP (Washington Nationals)
(Second round)
--John Suomi, C (Philadelphia Phillies)
(Third round)
--Carlos Arias, RHP (Cleveland Indians)

Horacio Ramirez close to 1 year deal, possible option year

It seems that Dayton Moore's Atlanta connections are never-ending. I say that because it appears he's convinced former Braves southpaw and 2008 Kansas City Royal Horacio Ramirez to return to the team with a one year, $1.8MM deal with a possible option for an extra year. Ramirez, who was traded to the White Sox at the trade deadline last season, will reportedly receive an incentive based contract that will pay him a $500k bonus as a reliever or $1.1MM as a starter.

It will be interesting to see if he can recapture the ability to get batters out the way he did last season in Kansas City. I'm glad he's back. I didn't like the trade that sent him to ChiTown in the first place. McClure seemed to work wonders on this kid.

Royals take trip to the 'Farn'

The Royals have reportedly reached an agreement on a 2 year, $9.25MM contract with free agent fireballer Kyle Farnsworth. The aggressive righty has long been linked to the Royals throughout this offseason and has now apparently been added to fill the void left by the trades of Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez.

Personally, I have mixed emotions on this one. I would like to see what kind of pitcher he can be under the tutelage of Bob McClure, but at the same time he's 32 years old and isn't known to be a coachable player. The guy can bring the heat, and he turns in some fantastic strikeout numbers each year for a reliever. Just think of Mike MacDougal with a little bit better control.

Oh yeah, and a lot more testosterone.

MLB.com's Top 50 prospects released

MLB.com just released its 2009 Top 50 Prospects and the Royals have two players ranked in the top 30.
2007 1st rounder (second overall pick) Mike Moustakas is ranked No. 11 on the list while 2008 1st rounder (third overall) Eric Hosmer is No. 29.

You can check out their profiles on MLB.com and even watch video clips of the duo at the plate. Moustakas, by the way, has one of the sweetest swings you'll ever see. I witnessed this guy play many games in high school against top competition, and he has always made scouts salivate at his potential. Hosmer, oh yeah, saw him too. The kid can rake.

Royals pushing hard to deal Guillen

According to sources, Jose Guillen's name has been getting thrown around quite a lot by the Royals at the baseball winter meetings in Las Vegas. Over the past week, in an attempt to move the slugger's hefty contract (and attitude), the team has been trying to put together potential trade partners that would allow them to then step up efforts to sign free agent SS Rafael Furcal.

The Royals have been named as on of four finalists for Furcal's services in 2009, though it is believed he already spurned a 3 year, $34.5MM deal from the Oakland Athletics. As you are already aware, the Royals gave Guillen a 3 year, $36MM deal before last season and would now LOVE to put him in another city - far, far away.

Also to report, the Royals seem to be inching ever so close to an agreement with 32 year old fireballer Kyle Farnsworth. You remember him I'm sure. He's the dude that Brian Urlacher'd Cincinatti Reds pitcher Paul Wilson several years ago when Wilson UNWITTINGLY charged the mound after being plunked by Farnsey.

He throws hard. BELIEVE ME. I witnessed him hit 101 MPH on the radar gun on three consecutive pitches at St. Louis in 2006. He definitely fits the profile Dayton Moore wants at the back end of the bullpen.

Royals lose another arm

On Monday, Royals right hander Jeff Fulchino earned the distinction of "former Royals right hander" when he was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros. Fulchino, a 6-foot-5 righty, went 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA last season with Kansas City.

Grud offered arbitration; says no thanks

Mark Grudzielanek was offered salary arbitration from the Royals this evening, but quickly shot down any hope he would return to the team next season.

Speaking from his California home Grud said he was "95 to 98 percent sure" he was going to decline the offer and sign elsewhere in hopes of reaching the World Series before he reaches retirement in the next few years. He also stressed his thanks to the Royals organization, spoke highly about the fans and what they meant to him and praised his soon-to-be former teammates.

I don't blame the man. Mark Grudzielanek is a true winner. He's someone you root for. He deserves a shot to play deep into the post season one more time before hanging up the spikes (well worn one's at that).

Plus, the Royals will now get a sandwich pick between the first and second round as soon as he signs with another team. Remember this: highly touted left hander Mike Montgomery was a sandwich first rounder for the Royals last season. They should get a pretty good player in return.

Any fan who dares to blame him for turning down the offer feel free to make a post and explain your case. I'd like to hear it.