Royals owner David Glass has an easy explanation for the anticipated increase of 20 percent or more in the club’s payroll for the 2009 season.</p><p> “You just put money in,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s simple.”</p><p> The increase figures to boost the Royals to about $70 million — nearly $12 million more than last season’s franchise-record $58.2 million — and comes at a time when several teams are trimming payrolls because of concerns over the economy.</p><p> Glass cites two reasons for the increase:</p><p><li> The Royals are making measurable progress in their rebuilding plan after winning 75 games last season and escaping last place in the American League Central for the first time since 2003.</p><p><li> A sign of good faith to the fan base upon completion of $250 million in public-funded renovations to Kauffman Stadium.</p><p> “We’ve got a lot going for us next year,” Glass said. </p><p>“The stadium is going to be sensational. I was up there a couple of weeks ago and toured through the construction, and I can visualize now much better what it exactly is going to look like.</p><p> “Fans are going to love it. I’m a fan, and I’m going to love it. And we need a good product on the field to complement what’s happening with the stadium.”</p><p><b>Awards banquet returns</b></p><p> The Royals announced plans Thursday for club’s first awards dinner since 2001. The club plans to recognize 13 recipients on Jan. 16 at the Sheraton Overland Park hotel.</p><p> The dinner will serve as the kickoff event for the 2009 FanFest, which runs Jan. 17-18 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Ticket information for the dinner will be announced at a later date.</p><p> Honorees include the club’s player and pitcher of the year, shortstop Mike Aviles and closer Joakim Soria.</p><p><b>Winter details</b></p><p> The battle next spring for bullpen jobs is offering a preview this winter in the Dominican Republic.</p><p> Results are mixed.</p><p> Right-hander Robinson Tejeda is pitching as a starter for Azucareros and had a 2.57 ERA in four outings before getting rocked last Sunday for six runs in 3 2/3 innings. That spiked his ERA to 5.09.</p><p> Lefty Neal Musser has a 2.53 ERA in 16 appearances for Escogido but has allowed 10 walks and 11 hits in 10 2/3 innings. Righty Joel Peralta has a 4.70 ERA in 11 outings for Gigantes but has allowed 10 hits and six walks in 7 2/3 innings.</p><p> Just-signed Franquelis Osoria, a right-hander who pitched last season at Pittsburgh, is 2-0 with one save in 12 games for Aguilas. But opposing hitters are batting .362 against him. </p><p> Other winter notables:</p><p><li> Shortstop Tony Peña is batting .313 in 35 games for Aguilas. He also has 14 walks for a .392 on-base percentage.</p><p><li> Infielders Esteban German and Alberto Callaspo continue to enjoy strong winter seasons. German is batting .363 with a .479 on-base percentage in 32 games for Azucareros. Callaspo is batting .310 with a .379 OBP in 33 games for Zulia in Venezuela.</p><p><li> Catcher Brayan Peña, a switch-hitter added last month to the 40-man roster, is batting .309 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 31 games for Gigantes. He also has 20 walks in 31 games for a .397 OBP.