Back to web version
Detroit’s Fielder signing doesn’t change Royals’ plans
Detroit made splash by signing Fielder, but KC won’t alter roster yet.
By RUSTIN DODDThe Kansas City Star
It’s now been seven days and counting since the Detroit Tigers shook up the American League by agreeing to a nine-year, $214 million deal with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.
The megacontract for Fielder, a former Brewers slugger, came nearly a week after the Tigers lost designated hitter Victor Martinez because of a season-ending knee injury. And if there was any doubt before, the addition of Fielder made things quite clear: Detroit will be favored to win the AL Central for a second straight year.
This, of course, is not good news for the Royals, who had emerged during the offseason as a 2012 sleeper after a solid finish in 2011. Still, general manager Dayton Moore says, the Royals won’t make any reactionary moves.
Moore, however, did suggest that things could always change if the Royals’ young talent continues to develop and the team is contending into the summer months. Let’s say, for instance, the Royals went into the All-Star break near the top of the standings.
“(We’ll) look at the landscape and what it looks like,” Moore said. “(We’ll look at) how healthy our team is after the first 70 to 80 games, where we are in the division, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the other teams in our division. And then you decide: What do you need to do for those final 80 games or so?”
But for now, Moore affirmed, the Royals are probably done adding major pieces to the roster before spring training. And the Fielder signing won’t change that.
“We’re in a unique situation where our market is what it is, and we just have to focus on what we do,” Moore said. “And hopefully, most years, that’s good enough to win and certainly be competitive. And some years, good enough to win our division.”
Mendoza’s line
Right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza has stayed busy this offseason, helping Obregon of the Mexican League to the Caribbean Series for the second straight year.
Mendoza allowed just two runs in seven innings in a victory over Guasave in game one of the Mexican Pacific League series on Jan. 21. The Caribbean Series, which begins Thursday, features the winner of the winter leagues in Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Mendoza, who recorded a 2.18 ERA in 1441/3 innings last season at Class AAA Omaha, has posted a 5.34 ERA in 282/3 innings in seven appearances for Obregon.
After winning the Pacific Coast League pitcher-of-the-year award in 2011, Mendoza, 28, will have the opportunity to impress the Royals in spring training. But he may need a strong performance to assure club officials that his 2011 wasn’t an anomaly.
“I think we know what we have in Louie,” Moore said. “He’s a strike thrower; he pounds the strike zone; he doesn’t have any fear. He’s got pitches that he can get you out with.”
Bubba update
Last time we heard from first-round pick Bubba Starling, he was being shut down in October because of a strained left quadriceps muscle.
Starling returned to Surprise, Ariz., earlier this month to take part in the Royals’ minor-league minicamp, and Moore said Starling appeared healthy and ready to enter his first full season of minor-league baseball.
“We don’t have any concerns,” Moore said. “He’s taking part in workouts down there, and everybody said that he looks really good.”