August 17, 200619 yr Royals reach deal with Grudzielanek Kansas City signs second baseman to contract extension CHICAGO -- Before Wednesday's game against the White Sox, a rumor quickly spread through the press box at U.S. Cellular Field that Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was being traded to the Tigers. That rumor proved almost true. Just minutes after Grudzielanek hit a three-rum homer that helped spark the team to a six-run third inning and a 10-4 win over the White Sox, the team announced it had signed the 36-year-old second baseman to a contract extension for 2007, with a player's option for 2008. The Associated Press reported the deal was for $4 million for next season and $4 million to $4.5 million in 2008, depending on plate appearances. Grudzielanek also can earn $250,000 annually in performance bonuses, according to the AP. He had a deal with a $3 million player option for 2007. "The actuality is, if they didn't see me as part of the team in the next few years, [the trade] probably would have happened," said Grudzielanek. "With both sides liking each other and being happy in the situation and believing in what we have here ... I believe this team can put together a very solid year and be a playoff-contending team very soon." The Tigers are in need of a second baseman after Placido Polanco suffered a separated left shoulder on Tuesday. Grudzielanek wasn't too tempted by the prospect of playing for the team with the best record in baseball. "I believe in what we have here," Grudzielanek said. "We have a lot of talent here and we're not too far away. With that said, the interest they have in me, that they want me to stick around, that meant a lot to me. It was one of those things that we got it done and we worked it out. I'm thankful for that and I'm looking forward to it." Grudzielanek was working his phone before the game, but Royals manager Buddy Bell said he had no idea about the possible deal until the White Sox called him before the game to see if there was a lineup change. "We didn't know anything about it," Bell said. "Grud was on the phone doing personal stuff. We got a call close to game time from the Sox, thinking Grud had been traded. He was in the lineup the whole time." Grudzielanek went 3-for-5 with four RBIs on Wednesday, and he was a double shy of hitting for the cycle. "Mark has been a vital part of this team," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a statement. "He has played a key role with his consistent offensive approach and has played Gold Glove-caliber defense this year. We're pleased he has agreed to return for the 2007 season and potentially through the 2008 season." Grudzielanek, in his first year with the team, had committed just two errors in 509 chances heading into Wednesday's game. He set a franchise record for consecutive games without an error at 77, breaking Frank White's mark of 70 in 1988. Grudzielanek committed his third error of the season in the seventh inning on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Grudzielanek is hitting .292 and leading the team in hits (127) and runs (67) after Wednesday's heroics. source Great news for the Royals. Deal been in the works for several days. Glad to see he's finally been signed. Really coming on as of late, also. He has 17 hits in his last 10 games.
August 17, 200619 yr They don't get it at all, sign all the position player veterans you want, you need veterans in pitching and in the pen for that team to start actually winning. A great example of how veterans in the pen worked was how Mesa and other veteran releivers shaped up Gonzalez for the Pirates and more recently Ramon Ramirez for the Rox.
August 17, 200619 yr yep, they got the veteran bats but its the pitching that really needs to be re-vamped.
August 17, 200619 yr apparently mark really doesnt care about winning... Not as much as getting paid and having a spot
August 17, 200619 yr Damn The Royals are one messed up franchise...They are totally clueless! They should traded grudzy for some hot prospects. Now they got to pay him and the team is no better!
August 17, 200619 yr The Royals have a semi decent foundation in terms of pitching in the minors. If Grienke can come back with his head on straight they have a nice starter there. Luke Hochaver is probably goign to be a mid/front line starter. I have heard decent things about guys like... Eric Cordier Ryan Braun Tyler Lumsden If at least one of them becomes a major league starter they will be alright. You cant expect things to change overnight. I think they have a really good baseball man running the front office now in Drayton Moore, but its going to take a little bit of time. Nothing wrong with signing a guy like Grudzielanek for your team.
August 17, 200619 yr and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski....
August 17, 200619 yr Ryan Braun's a good player. I saw him play for the Canes. I thought he was with the brewers :mischief2 .
August 17, 200619 yr Ryan Braun's a good player. I saw him play for the Canes. I thought he was with the brewers :mischief2 . that Ryan Bruan is with the Brewers
August 17, 200619 yr they'll be decent in a few years, but I think it'll be a good while before they can actually compete
August 18, 200619 yr and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski.... Isn't there a replacement for Teahen working his way up. I had a small gut feeling the Cubs might deal for Teahen if[when] Ramirez opts out of his contract after the season.
August 18, 200619 yr and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski.... Isn't there a replacement for Teahen working his way up. I had a small gut feeling the Cubs might deal for Teahen if[when] Ramirez opts out of his contract after the season. his name is Alex Gordon, but Gordon will either be a DH or move to the OF
August 18, 200619 yr Author and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski.... Isn't there a replacement for Teahen working his way up. I had a small gut feeling the Cubs might deal for Teahen if[when] Ramirez opts out of his contract after the season. his name is Alex Gordon, but Gordon will either be a DH or move to the OF There's a lot of good OF'ers down in Omaha. Costa who has 8 homers in just 36 games, Allen who is hitting .314 and slugging .496 and Robinson who is hitting .320. I'd like to see some of them get a chance with the big league club sometime in the near future. Gordon is currently with Wichita (AA) hitting .319. If he does as good with Omaha, I'd also like to see him get a chance. But I'm not sure he'd be an outfielder. The Royals have plenty of outfield depth.
August 18, 200619 yr and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski.... Isn't there a replacement for Teahen working his way up. I had a small gut feeling the Cubs might deal for Teahen if[when] Ramirez opts out of his contract after the season. his name is Alex Gordon, but Gordon will either be a DH or move to the OF There's a lot of good OF'ers down in Omaha. Costa who has 8 homers in just 36 games, Allen who is hitting .314 and slugging .496 and Robinson who is hitting .320. I'd like to see some of them get a chance with the big league club sometime in the near future. Gordon is currently with Wichita (AA) hitting .319. If he does as good with Omaha, I'd also like to see him get a chance. But I'm not sure he'd be an outfielder. The Royals have plenty of outfield depth. :lol ! Kerry Robinson and Chad Allen are nothing but roster fillers and Shane Costa wont stop Alex Gordon from getting a spot on the roster
August 18, 200619 yr Author and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski.... Isn't there a replacement for Teahen working his way up. I had a small gut feeling the Cubs might deal for Teahen if[when] Ramirez opts out of his contract after the season. his name is Alex Gordon, but Gordon will either be a DH or move to the OF There's a lot of good OF'ers down in Omaha. Costa who has 8 homers in just 36 games, Allen who is hitting .314 and slugging .496 and Robinson who is hitting .320. I'd like to see some of them get a chance with the big league club sometime in the near future. Gordon is currently with Wichita (AA) hitting .319. If he does as good with Omaha, I'd also like to see him get a chance. But I'm not sure he'd be an outfielder. The Royals have plenty of outfield depth. :lol ! Kerry Robinson and Chad Allen are nothing but roster fillers and Shane Costa wont stop Alex Gordon from getting a spot on the roster They're doing pretty damn good for being roster fillers.
August 18, 200619 yr and it's not like Grudzy is going to block anyone man, I cant wait to watch this team in the future: Shealy, Teahen, Butler, Meier, Greinke, Hochevar, Gordon, Huber, Lubanski.... Isn't there a replacement for Teahen working his way up. I had a small gut feeling the Cubs might deal for Teahen if[when] Ramirez opts out of his contract after the season. his name is Alex Gordon, but Gordon will either be a DH or move to the OF There's a lot of good OF'ers down in Omaha. Costa who has 8 homers in just 36 games, Allen who is hitting .314 and slugging .496 and Robinson who is hitting .320. I'd like to see some of them get a chance with the big league club sometime in the near future. Gordon is currently with Wichita (AA) hitting .319. If he does as good with Omaha, I'd also like to see him get a chance. But I'm not sure he'd be an outfielder. The Royals have plenty of outfield depth. :lol ! Kerry Robinson and Chad Allen are nothing but roster fillers and Shane Costa wont stop Alex Gordon from getting a spot on the roster They're doing pretty damn good for being roster fillers. Yes, but they have no future on the ballclub
August 19, 200619 yr Grudzielanek is garbage. I can't believe he's still in the league, let alone making that much money. :thumbdown :banghead
August 19, 200619 yr Author Grudzielanek is garbage. I can't believe he's still in the league, let alone making that much money. :thumbdown :banghead Another "everyone on the Royals sucks because their team record sucks" character.
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