Topps highlighted one of the Royals’ new acquisitions Wednesday by selecting second baseman Chris Getz to its annual All-Rookie Team. Getz, 27, batted .261 last season with 25 steals in 107 games for the Chicago White Sox before joining the Royals in a Nov. 6 trade with third baseman Josh Fields for third baseman Mark Teahen. The honor means Getz’s 2010 trading card will have a trophy on it. Fourteen Royals -- not counting Getz -- have been picked by Topps since it began selecting an All-Rookie Team in 1959. The list includes shortstop Mike Aviles in 2008 and pitcher Brian Bannister in 2007. The rest of the 2009 team: Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham, Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Orioles outfielder Norman Reimold, Mets catcher Omir Santos, Braves right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson and Phillies left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ.Hulett to Boston Utility infielder Tug Hulett is heading to Boston in a trade for future considerations -- either cash or a player to be named later. The move enables the Royals to recoup some return for Hulett, who was designated for assignment on Nov. 20. Hulett, 26, spent most of last season at Class AAA Omaha, where he batted .291 in 99 games, after joining the Royals in a Feb. 19 waiver claim from Seattle. He was two for 18 in 15 big-league games. The Royals also secure unconditional release waivers on right-hander Julio Pimentel, who was once regarded as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. He missed all of last season after suffering ligament damage in his elbow. Pimentel, 23, was 12-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 2007 at Class A Wilmington before slipping to 7-13 and 5.38 in 2008 at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.Minor signings The Royals added some outfield speed and bullpen depth by reaching agreements with Buck Coats and Josh Rupe on minor-league contracts. Coats, 27, is a center fielder who served as the leadoff hitter in September for the United States in its gold-medal run through the World Cup tournament. The USA team was managed by Royals first-base coach Eddie Rodriguez. Prior to the World Cup, Coats batted .302 with a .361 on-base percentage in 117 games for Class AAA Las Vegas in the Toronto system. He has a .285 average and .345 on-base percentage in 1,049 games over 10 minor-league seasons but is just 11 for 62 in 46 career big-league games. Rupe, 27, is a right-hander who spent the last 6½ seasons in the Texas organization. He compiled a 4.95 ERA while logging 70 big-league appearances since 2005 but pitched just four times last year before being sent to Class AAA Oklahoma. Rupe was 5-7 with a 6.67 ERA in 24 games, including 14 starts, at Oklahoma. The deals with Coats and Rupe came one day after the Royals reached agreement with pitcher Bryan Bullington on a minor-league contract. The club has now signed 15 players to minor-league contracts since the end of the season. Other signings: pitcher John Bannister, catcher Edwin Bellorin, infielder Wilson Betemit, pitcher Jorge Campillo, catcher Cody Clark, pitcher Jairo Cuevas, infielder Irving Falu, pitcher Carlos Rivas, pitcher Brad Thompson, outfielder/first baseman Scott Thorman, pitcher Kelvin Villa and catcher Vance Wilson.Hot stove buzz The Royals are showing interest in free-agent pitcher Erik Bedard, according to Yahoo.com. It makes sense. The Royals are desperate for a lefty starter, and Bedard has pitched well when healthy. Bedard, 30, should be open to a one-year, incentive-laden contract -- he made $7.75 million last season -- in an effort to rebuild his marketability. He made just 30 starts over the last two years in Seattle because of injuries. The problem is the Royals could have trouble finding even $3-5 million in guaranteed money without clearing payroll. Further, they still have to find a catcher and a center fielder.• Rumors continue to surface in New York suggesting the Mets are interested in outfielder José Guillen if the Royals eat a majority of his $12 million salary for 2010. It’s nothing new. Guillen-to-the-Mets rumors started midway through the 2008 season. Even so…the Royals ought to be willing to deal if, as the rumors say, they get outfielder Angel Pagan in return.

Posted on Wed, Nov. 25, 2009 11:19 AM

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Royals notebook: Chris Getz picked as second baseman on all-rookie team

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

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Topps highlighted one of the Royals’ new acquisitions Wednesday by selecting second baseman Chris Getz to its annual All-Rookie Team.

Getz, 27, batted .261 last season with 25 steals in 107 games for the Chicago White Sox before joining the Royals in a Nov. 6 trade with third baseman Josh Fields for third baseman Mark Teahen.

The honor means Getz’s 2010 trading card will have a trophy on it.

Fourteen Royals -- not counting Getz -- have been picked by Topps since it began selecting an All-Rookie Team in 1959. The list includes shortstop Mike Aviles in 2008 and pitcher Brian Bannister in 2007.

The rest of the 2009 team: Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham, Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Orioles outfielder Norman Reimold, Mets catcher Omir Santos, Braves right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson and Phillies left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ.

Hulett to Boston

Utility infielder Tug Hulett is heading to Boston in a trade for future considerations -- either cash or a player to be named later. The move enables the Royals to recoup some return for Hulett, who was designated for assignment on Nov. 20.

Hulett, 26, spent most of last season at Class AAA Omaha, where he batted .291 in 99 games, after joining the Royals in a Feb. 19 waiver claim from Seattle. He was two for 18 in 15 big-league games.

The Royals also secure unconditional release waivers on right-hander Julio Pimentel, who was once regarded as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. He missed all of last season after suffering ligament damage in his elbow.

Pimentel, 23, was 12-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 2007 at Class A Wilmington before slipping to 7-13 and 5.38 in 2008 at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Minor signings

The Royals added some outfield speed and bullpen depth by reaching agreements with Buck Coats and Josh Rupe on minor-league contracts.

Coats, 27, is a center fielder who served as the leadoff hitter in September for the United States in its gold-medal run through the World Cup tournament. The USA team was managed by Royals first-base coach Eddie Rodriguez.

Prior to the World Cup, Coats batted .302 with a .361 on-base percentage in 117 games for Class AAA Las Vegas in the Toronto system. He has a .285 average and .345 on-base percentage in 1,049 games over 10 minor-league seasons but is just 11 for 62 in 46 career big-league games.

Rupe, 27, is a right-hander who spent the last 6½ seasons in the Texas organization. He compiled a 4.95 ERA while logging 70 big-league appearances since 2005 but pitched just four times last year before being sent to Class AAA Oklahoma.

Rupe was 5-7 with a 6.67 ERA in 24 games, including 14 starts, at Oklahoma.

The deals with Coats and Rupe came one day after the Royals reached agreement with pitcher Bryan Bullington on a minor-league contract. The club has now signed 15 players to minor-league contracts since the end of the season.

Other signings: pitcher John Bannister, catcher Edwin Bellorin, infielder Wilson Betemit, pitcher Jorge Campillo, catcher Cody Clark, pitcher Jairo Cuevas, infielder Irving Falu, pitcher Carlos Rivas, pitcher Brad Thompson, outfielder/first baseman Scott Thorman, pitcher Kelvin Villa and catcher Vance Wilson.

Hot stove buzz

The Royals are showing interest in free-agent pitcher Erik Bedard, according to Yahoo.com. It makes sense. The Royals are desperate for a lefty starter, and Bedard has pitched well when healthy.

Bedard, 30, should be open to a one-year, incentive-laden contract -- he made $7.75 million last season -- in an effort to rebuild his marketability. He made just 30 starts over the last two years in Seattle because of injuries. The problem is the Royals could have trouble finding even $3-5 million in guaranteed money without clearing payroll. Further, they still have to find a catcher and a center fielder.

• Rumors continue to surface in New York suggesting the Mets are interested in outfielder José Guillen if the Royals eat a majority of his $12 million salary for 2010. It’s nothing new. Guillen-to-the-Mets rumors started midway through the 2008 season. Even so…the Royals ought to be willing to deal if, as the rumors say, they get outfielder Angel Pagan in return.

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. 25, 2009 11:19 AM

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