Royals add infielder; Hochevar to Omaha

[catsfan20012002]

http://cjonline.com/stories/071207/roy_183898207.shtml

The Kansas City Royals claimed infielder Jason Smith off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Smith, 29, is expected to join the Royals when they return from the All-Star break Friday night in Cleveland.

To make room on the roster, Kansas City designated infielder Fernando Cortez for assignment.

Smith has a .228 average in 195 career games, and has been with six different clubs since breaking into the majors in 2001. The Diamondbacks claimed him from Toronto on May 16, but he played in only two games before a burst appendix put him on the disabled list.

The Royals also promoted right-hander Luke Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft, to Triple-A Omaha.

[ECN]

why in the hell did they pick up this guy?

[970Cat]

Because Grud will only be wearing Royal blue for a couple more weeks.

[ECN]

dammit.

im a grud fan.

[KungFoooKitty]

still gonna suck 

[970Cat]

Player       TEAM   POS      G      AB       R       H       2B       3B       HR       RBI       TB      BB    SO      SB     CS     OBP      SLG     AVG

1. E German    KC    2B    69    219    29    61    11    4    2    27    86    31    37    6    4    .375    .393    .279
2. Grud      KC      2B      55      216      30      60      18       1      4      28      92      10      24      0       0      .323      .426      .278


Pretty identical numbers, what German won't be able to replace is Grud's power numbers.  Not bad trade material though, who in the hunt needs a 2B/middle infielder though? 

[ECN]

Player       TEAM   POS      G      AB       R       H       2B       3B       HR       RBI       TB      BB    SO      SB     CS     OBP      SLG     AVG

1. E German    KC    2B    69    219    29    61    11    4    2    27    86    31    37    6    4    .375    .393    .279
2. Grud      KC      2B      55      216      30      60      18       1      4      28      92      10      24      0       0      .323      .426      .278


Pretty identical numbers, what German won't be able to replace is Grud's power numbers.  Not bad trade material though, who in the hunt needs a 2B/middle infielder though? 

german also wont be able to replace a gold glove.

[970Cat]

But corporate brass will be OK with replacing this: 7. Mark Grudzielanek $4,000,000/year with this: Jason Smith, Arizona Diamondback 2007 Salary: $500,000 and pay 19. Esteban German $423,000/year. 


I don't like to see Grud go either, but I agree with the Royal management in that Grudzielanek, Emil Brown, Reggie Sanders and perhaps/hopefully even Mike Sweeney are not part of the future plans.  Better save that coin now so they can sign up some more pitching.

                                                              G     AB      R      H     2B     3B    HR   RBI   SB   BA   OBP   SLG
But in obtaining Smith they are only getting this:  Season   29   56   7   12   1   1   0   4   0   .214   .267   .268

[ECN]

emil brown was making small scratch, then he did arbitration...got a larger salary and now sucks.

[970Cat]

Brown was a hero in the series I saw here in Colorado in May, 3R HR on Friday in the 8th and 2RBI in Sunday's victory.  Even came over and gave a Royals fan a ball sitting close to me.  I hoped he would do better this year, but after that weekend I became an Emil Brown fan.   

[cas]

Brown was a hero in the series I saw here in Colorado in May, 3R HR on Friday in the 8th and 2RBI in Sunday's victory.  Even came over and gave a Royals fan a ball sitting close to me.  I hoped he would do better this year, but after that weekend I became an Emil Brown fan.   

I was at that game as well. Took 2 out of 3. Suck it Rockies.