Baseball – Page 20 – North Platte Post Archive

Royals Sign Rios to $11 Million, 1-Year Deal

Posted on December 20, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals announced the signing of veteran outfielder Alex Rios to an $11 million, one-year deal Friday that includes a mutual option for the 2016 season.

Rios, who will take over right field for departed free agent Nori Aoki, will make $9.5 million this season. The deal includes $12.5 million the following year with a $1.5 million buyout.

The 33-year-old Rios should provide more pop to a lineup that lacked home-run hitters last season. He’s part of an offseason spending spree by the AL champs that includes the signing of Kendrys Morales to a $17 million, two-year deal to become their designated hitter.

Rios hit .280 with four homers and 54 RBIs for Texas last season.

The Royals have also signed pitcher Kris Medlen, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, and agreed to terms with pitcher Edinson Volquez.

Angels get Second Baseman Giavotella from Royals for RHP Broderick

Posted on December 20, 2014

Brian Broderick with the Washington Nationals

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have acquired second baseman Johnny Giavotella from the Kansas City Royals for minor league pitcher Brian Broderick.

The clubs announced the deal Friday.

Giavotella was designated for assignment by the Royals on Thursday after spending most of last season at Triple-A Omaha. He has played parts of four big league seasons in Kansas City, batting .238 in 125 career games.

The Angels need a second baseman after trading Howie Kendrick to the Dodgers. They are still attempting to re-sign infielder Gordon Beckham.

Broderick was signed by the Angels earlier in the offseason. He pitched in the independent Atlantic League last season.

Selig to Become Baseball Commissioner Emeritus Next Month

Posted on December 19, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Bud Selig will be given the title of baseball commissioner emeritus when he retires next month.

The 80-year-old Selig has led baseball for 22 1/2 years. He will be succeeded by Rob Manfred, baseball’s chief operating officer, on Jan. 25.

Selig helped force commissioner Fay Vincent’s resignation in 1992 and was put in charge as chairman of the executive council. He was elected commissioner in July 1998, and his time in charge is second only to that of Kenesaw Mountain Landis from 1920-44.

MLB said Friday that Selig will be available to advise Manfred and assist with special projects. Manfred says “this role will allow the game to benefit from his unmatched institutional knowledge, experience and relationships.”

Kris Medlen and Royals Agree to $8.5 Million, 2-Year Deal

Posted on December 18, 2014December 19, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former Atlanta right-hander Kris Medlen has agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals after missing last season while he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Medlen will make $2 million next year and $5.5 million in 2016 under the agreement announced Thursday and could earn up to $10 million in performance bonuses based on starts and innings. The deal includes a 2017 option with a $1 million buyout.

The 29-year-old went 14-12 with a 3.11 ERA in 2013, his only full season as a starter, and went 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in his last five starts.

Medlen, who hurt his elbow in spring training, also missed most of the 2011 season while he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

Dodgers Send Cuevas to Rockies to Complete Trade

Posted on December 16, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have sent minor-league outfielder Noel Cuevas to the Colorado Rockies to complete their trade for right-hander Juan Nicasio last month.

The clubs announced the rest of the deal Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Cuevas reached Double-A Chattanooga last season, batting .231 with seven homers and 44 RBIs.

The Dodgers acquired Nicasio on Nov. 24. He went 6-6 with a 5.38 ERA last season for the Rockies, making 14 starts before moving to the bullpen.

Morales Finalizes Deal with Royals

Posted on December 16, 2014

Kendrys Morales with the Los Angeles Angels in 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have finalized a $17 million, two-year deal with veteran slugger Kendrys Morales.

Morales gives the Royals a new designated hitter after Billy Butler agreed to a free agent deal with Oakland. Kansas City will hope last season was an aberration for Morales, who hit .218 with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 98 games with the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners.

Two years ago, Morales hit .277 with 23 homers for Seattle.

The 31-year-old Morales will get $6.5 million next year and $9 million in 2016. The deal includes an $11 million mutual option for 2017 with a $1.5 million buyout.

Morales can make an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses in each of the first two seasons based on plate appearances.

Descalso and Rockies Agree to $3.6 Million, 2-Year Contract

Posted on December 16, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Infielder Daniel Descalso had agreed to a $3.6 million, two-year contract with the Colorado Rockies.

The 28-year-old has seen action all over the infield since being selected by St. Louis in the third round of the 2007 amateur draft. He’s played 200 games at third base, along with 174 more at second. He’s also slid over to shortstop (114 games) and filled in at first (nine games).

Descalso hit .242 with 10 RBIs in 104 games last season with the Cardinals and was a member of their 2011 World Series championship team. He will have salaries of $1.5 million next year and $2.1 million in 2016.

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich believes Descalso’s “versatile skill set, his experience level and his veteran leadership will be great additions to our Major League process.”

Descalso can earn up to $500,000 annually in performance bonuses based on plate appearances under Tuesday’s deal: $50,000 for 250, $100,000 for 300, $150,000 for 350 and $200,000 for 400.

AP Source: Rios, Royals Agree to $11 Million Deal

Posted on December 15, 2014December 15, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person with knowledge of the negotiations says outfielder Alex Rios and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to an $11 million, one-year contract.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was subject to Rios passing a physical.

Rios will take over in right field from Nori Aoki, who became a free agent after helping the Royals win their first AL pennant since 1985.

Rios, who turns 34 in February, had been with Texas since August 2013 and hit .280 this year with four homers and 54 RBIs. He set career highs with the Chicago White Sox in 2012 with 25 homers and 91 RBIs.

His agreement was first reported by CBS.

Royals Sign Right-Hander Pino, Designate Coleman

Posted on December 15, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals signed former Twins right-hander Yohan Pino on Monday and designated reliever Casey Coleman for assignment.

The 30-year-old Pino went 2-5 with a 5.07 ERA in 11 starts for Minnesota last season. He made his debut June 19 against the White Sox and earned his first win against Seattle on July 10.

Pino, who also has pitched for the Indians, Blue Jays and Reds organizations, spent most of last season at Triple-A Rochester. He went 10-2 with a 2.47 ERA for the Red Wings.

Coleman went 1-0 with a 5.25 ERA in 10 appearances for the Royals last season. He was 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA for their Triple-A affiliate in Omaha.

AP Source: Morales, Royals Reach $17M, 2-Year Deal

Posted on December 11, 2014

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says slugger Kendrys Morales and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement with the AL champions was subject to him passing a physical.

Morales figures to take over at designated hitter from Billy Butler, who left as a free agent and agreed to a $30 million, three-year deal with Oakland.

Morales will get $6.5 million next year and $9 million in 2016. The deal includes an $11 million mutual option for 2017 with a $1.5 million buyout. Morales can make an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses in each of the first two seasons based on plate appearances: $50,000 for 375 and $100,000 apiece for 400 and each additional 25 until 550.