Royals notebook: Club must decide Monday whether to offer arbitration to Grudzielanek

It’s decision time Monday for the Royals in regard to veteran second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. Clubs have until 11 p.m. Central time to offer arbitration to their free agents in order to receive a compensatory draft pick if the player signs elsewhere.

The Royals have only one free agent: Grudzielanek, a 14-year veteran who batted .299 last season in 86 games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in an Aug. 1 collision with first baseman Ross Gload.

Offering arbitration to Grudzielanek, 38, once seemed unlikely because of its potential financial ramifications, but general manager Dayton Moore refuses to rule it out.

“We’re still evaluating that decision and comparing it to other possibilities,” he said. “I’ll tell you what I’ve been telling our staff: We’re still not ready to make a decision right now.”

Moore said a decision might not be announced until the deadline.

Grudzielanek spent the last three seasons with the Royals. He won a Gold Glove for defensive excellence in 2006 and was chosen as the club’s player of the year in 2007.

Clubs must offer arbitration to their free agents in order to qualify for compensation. Grudzielanek is classified as a Type B free agent, which would net a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of next June’s new-player draft.

The catch is this: Grudzielanek could accept arbitration if he believes he is unlikely to match his 2008 salary of $4.5 million on the open market _ especially since arbitration would likely ensure a raise to $5 million or more in 2009.

Players offered arbitration must accept or reject the offer before 11 p.m. Central time on Dec. 7.

“We understand the potential (financial) exposure if we do offer him arbitration,” Moore said. “We’ll work through it. There’s flexibility (in the payroll) to make it work.”

Keeping Grudzielanek would likely force the Royals to shed payroll in some manner. The club’s roster, as presently constituted without Grudzielanek, projects to about $70 million. Moore previously cited that figure as a likely upper limit.

“We’ve got to be there or close to there come October of next year,” Moore acknowledged. “We’ll cross that bridge when it comes with regard to managing that.”

Ex-Pirates reliever signed

The Royals moved to replenish their depth-depleted bullpen by signing ex-Pittsburgh reliever Franquelis Osoria to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to big-league camp.

Osoria, 27, was 4-3 with a 6.08 ERA last season for the Pirates in 43 games. He allowed 87 hits, including 10 homers, in 60 2/3 innings. He has a 5.48 ERA in 104 career games over the last four years with the Pirates and Dodgers.

The Royals are looking for right-handed help in the bullpen after trading away Leo Nuñez and Ramon Ramirez.

Other signings

Catcher Matt Tupman is staying with the Royals after agreeing to a minor-league contract. He had the option of becoming a free agent when he recently cleared waivers after being removed from the 40-man roster.

The Royals also signed catcher J.R. House to a minor-league deal. House, 29, batted .306 last season with 18 homers and 60 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock in the Houston system.

Tupman and House each received invitations to big-league camp. Tupman, 29, recently underwent shoulder surgery but is expected to be game-ready by mid-March. He batted .229 last season in 81 games after compiling a .272 average in six previous seasons.

House has a .310 average in nine minor-league seasons but is just 10 for 60 in parts of five big-league seasons with the Pirates, Astros and Orioles.

The Royals have now invited eight minor-league signees to big-league camp: pitchers Brandon Duckworth, Tim Hamulack and Matt Wright, shortstop Luis Hernandez and third baseman Corey Smith in addition to Osoria, Tupman and House.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352 or send email to bdutton@kcstar.com.

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