The switch by Royals general manager Dayton Moore from active free-agent shopper to swap-meet enthusiast suggests a major shift in the organization’s philosophical approach this winter.No longer, it seems, will Moore seek a quick fix through stimulus spending in hopes of bridging the gap until the club’s increased emphasis in scouting and player development shows dividends.The Royals now appear committed to a longer-term approach. Moore speaks of accumulated talent — acquired through scouting and trades — coming together in “waves” even as he admits that wave is not likely to arrive in 2010.“We’re going to be better with more depth at the Triple-A and Double-A levels next year,” he said, “but it’s still not where it needs to be. That’s part of the thought process (in approaching this offseason).”Even so, it isn’t hard to apply a calendar to Moore’s new approach in this current personnel cycle: The Royals have roughly two years to convince Zack Greinke that it’s worth sticking around.Greinke’s contract runs through 2012, but it typically becomes harder to retain top players once they enter their final season prior to free agency. While he expresses interest in staying in Kansas City, he was bitterly disappointed at last season’s 65-97 disaster.“We’ll see when the offseason comes what all we do,” Greinke said. “I thought we’d be better than we’ve been, but we kind of proved this year that we still need more than we have to compete.”The Royals, from owner David Glass on down, are promising a busy offseason.“We had a terribly disappointing year,” Glass said, “and we can’t have a repeat. We’re going to turn over some of the club, which we need to do.”Moore returned Wednesday from three days of meetings with other general managers in Chicago, an annual gathering that often sets the groundwork for offseason deals.The next big date on baseball’s calendar is Nov. 20, when clubs must set their winter rosters — i.e., the deadline for determining what minor-league players to protect from the Rule 5 draft.Teams will pore through the omissions in hopes of uncovering an uncut gem — as the Royals did three years ago in selecting closer Joakim Soria from San Diego. By coincidence, Nov. 20 is also the date this year that clubs can begin signing free agents from other clubs. A player’s former club retains exclusive negotiating rights up to that point.The annual winter meetings, when baseball gathers as an industry, are Dec. 7-10 in Indianapolis. Just two days after those meetings conclude is the deadline for tendering contracts. Any player not offered a contract becomes a free agent.So it could be a busy month.“We’ve got more questions going into next year than we did coming into this year,” Moore said. “We’ve got more areas that we’ve got to get right, get fixed.”Last season’s decline occurred despite a club-record payroll that, just-released figures show, reached $81.7 million in total compensation and ranked 18th among baseball’s 30 clubs.The Royals anticipate no cutback next season in payroll spending, but Moore already is moving to create greater financial flexibility after hamstringing himself in recent years through costly — and generally ineffective — forays into the free-agent market.Moore acknowledged that financial considerations fueled last Friday’s trade that sent outfielder/third baseman Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox with $1 million for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields.

Posted on Wed, Nov. 11, 2009 11:25 PM

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Royals prepare to reshape their roster for 2010

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

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The switch by Royals general manager Dayton Moore from active free-agent shopper to swap-meet enthusiast suggests a major shift in the organization’s philosophical approach this winter.

No longer, it seems, will Moore seek a quick fix through stimulus spending in hopes of bridging the gap until the club’s increased emphasis in scouting and player development shows dividends.

The Royals now appear committed to a longer-term approach. Moore speaks of accumulated talent — acquired through scouting and trades — coming together in “waves” even as he admits that wave is not likely to arrive in 2010.

“We’re going to be better with more depth at the Triple-A and Double-A levels next year,” he said, “but it’s still not where it needs to be. That’s part of the thought process (in approaching this offseason).”

Even so, it isn’t hard to apply a calendar to Moore’s new approach in this current personnel cycle: The Royals have roughly two years to convince Zack Greinke that it’s worth sticking around.

Greinke’s contract runs through 2012, but it typically becomes harder to retain top players once they enter their final season prior to free agency. While he expresses interest in staying in Kansas City, he was bitterly disappointed at last season’s 65-97 disaster.

“We’ll see when the offseason comes what all we do,” Greinke said. “I thought we’d be better than we’ve been, but we kind of proved this year that we still need more than we have to compete.”

The Royals, from owner David Glass on down, are promising a busy offseason.

“We had a terribly disappointing year,” Glass said, “and we can’t have a repeat. We’re going to turn over some of the club, which we need to do.”

Moore returned Wednesday from three days of meetings with other general managers in Chicago, an annual gathering that often sets the groundwork for offseason deals.

The next big date on baseball’s calendar is Nov. 20, when clubs must set their winter rosters — i.e., the deadline for determining what minor-league players to protect from the Rule 5 draft.

Teams will pore through the omissions in hopes of uncovering an uncut gem — as the Royals did three years ago in selecting closer Joakim Soria from San Diego.

By coincidence, Nov. 20 is also the date this year that clubs can begin signing free agents from other clubs. A player’s former club retains exclusive negotiating rights up to that point.

The annual winter meetings, when baseball gathers as an industry, are Dec. 7-10 in Indianapolis. Just two days after those meetings conclude is the deadline for tendering contracts. Any player not offered a contract becomes a free agent.

So it could be a busy month.

“We’ve got more questions going into next year than we did coming into this year,” Moore said. “We’ve got more areas that we’ve got to get right, get fixed.”

Last season’s decline occurred despite a club-record payroll that, just-released figures show, reached $81.7 million in total compensation and ranked 18th among baseball’s 30 clubs.

The Royals anticipate no cutback next season in payroll spending, but Moore already is moving to create greater financial flexibility after hamstringing himself in recent years through costly — and generally ineffective — forays into the free-agent market.

Moore acknowledged that financial considerations fueled last Friday’s trade that sent outfielder/third baseman Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox with $1 million for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman/outfielder Josh Fields.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, send email to bdutton@kcstar.com. Follow his updates at twitter.com/Royals_Report

Posted on Wed, Nov. 11, 2009 11:25 PM

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