Royals trade Huber to Padres, cut loose De La Rosa

SURPRISE, Ariz. | Even the Royals’ need for some right-handed power couldn’t overcome Justin Huber’s inability to master a defensive position.

The Royals traded Huber to San Diego this afternoon for a player to be named later. The deal came one day after Huber smoked a two-run pinch double against the Padres in an 8-4 victory.

“For us, the way our club was shaping up,” general manager Dayton Moore said, “we just didn’t see the opportunity for him to be on our team. He’s out of options, and I really wish we had more time.

“He had a terrific spring, and we think he’s going to be a good hitter. It just didn’t work out.”

The trade was one of two made today by the Royals. They earlier acquired right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez from Colorado after clearing space on their 40-man roster by designating left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa for assignment.

The club also optioned pitcher Kyle Davies to Class AAA Omaha, reassigned pitchers Roman Colon and Chin-hui Tsao to minor-league camp and released minor-league pitcher Brian Lawrence.

Those moves mean left-hander John Bale and right-hander Brett Tomko now appear positioned to serve as the fourth and fifth starters behind Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke.

Ramirez, 26, is out of options, so the move suggests the club plans to plug him immediately into their bullpen. Ramirez is a hard thrower who relies on a fastball and hard slider. He was picked as the Rockies’ rookie of the year in 2006 before allowing 16 runs last season in 17 1/3 innings. In 2006, he compiled a 3.46 ERA in 61 games, but elbow problems limited him last year to just 22 games.

His spring numbers indicate he is fully recovered: He allowed just two runs and seven hits while registering 13 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.

Huber, 25, has been viewed as one of the organization’s top prospects since being acquired June 30, 2004 from the Mets. He won the Class AA Texas League batting title in 2005 and was picked that year as the most valuable player in the All-Star Futures Game.

The lack of a defensive position hampered Huber’s development. He was a catcher when acquired from the Mets but shifted to first base because of a knee injury. Huber struggled at first base and fared little better after shifting in 2006 to left field.

Huber spent small parts of the last three seasons in the big leagues. He batted .346 this spring with nine hits in 26 at-bats in 15 games.

See Thursday’s Star for more on the Royals