Royals sign J.R. House

According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the Royals signed catcher J.R. House to a split contract. House, 29, hit .306/.378/.480 in 454 Triple A at-bats this year. Back in the day, House was considered the Pirates' top prospect before he was derailed by injuries. There was a time when Jason Kendall was expected to move to the outfield to accomodate him.

about 1 month ago minda33 Comment 50 comments 0 recs |

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This pretty much locks up the world series for us!

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 29, 2008 11:23 PM EST 0 recs

Nothing is more exciting than a split contract signing

Seems to me that House is there in case Buck gets traded. If that happens then Pena and House can compete for the backup catcher spot, with the other going to Omaha to share catching duties with Tupman. I’m sure everyone will be overjoyed to hear that House has been a big OBP guy in the minors (career OBP .374). Dayton finally gets it!

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 29, 2008 11:36 PM EST 0 recs

I was thinking that either

a) Tupman won’t be back with the Royals next year after all, or
b) the House signing is insurance in case we lose Pena on waivers in the spring.

Thoughts?

by minda33 on Nov 29, 2008 11:54 PM EST up 0 recs

Those things too

I think all of these possibilities fit under the general title of “catching depth.” Catching is in short supply throughout baseball and every organization can use some added depth. He might end up being needed or useful at the major league level for any of a variety of reasons…or perhaps just insurance to stash away in Omaha.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 12:29 AM EST up 0 recs

B. Pena is out of options

So I don’t think we could ship him off to Omaha without exposing him to waivers.

by DarthYoshi on Nov 30, 2008 12:44 AM EST up 0 recs

True

But the last time we exposed him to waivers to send him to Omaha, it worked.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 2:41 AM EST up 0 recs

Its also

A little different sending a guy through waivers in mid-season as opposed to off-season.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 30, 2008 1:03 PM EST up 0 recs

True

I have no idea if Pena would make it through waivers at this point. I wouldn’t bet a dollar either way.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 2:22 PM EST up 0 recs

I like it

One of these days, this guy is going to be given more than 40 AB’s, right?

by Royal from Queens on Nov 30, 2008 12:20 AM EST 0 recs

What does this mean for JBuck?

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Nov 30, 2008 8:56 AM EST 0 recs

Hopefully a trade.

by jbrocato on Nov 30, 2008 7:08 PM EST up 0 recs

Benito Santiago is still a FA

[fingers crossed]

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 7:28 PM EST up 0 recs

What's Jason LaRue up to these days?

by DarthYoshi on Nov 30, 2008 7:38 PM EST up 0 recs

Last I heard

He was resigned by the Cardinals. If I recall they rushed to do it to for some reason!

by kansasjhawk044 on Nov 30, 2008 8:05 PM EST up 0 recs

And they are paying him $950K

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 9:03 PM EST up 0 recs

Veteran Presence

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 30, 2008 9:32 PM EST up 0 recs

Good signing

I’ve long been a JR House fan. Solid depth at the catcher position for us now. Plus he is excellent at solving medical mysteries other doctors deem uncurable.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 30, 2008 1:02 PM EST 0 recs

elaborate

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Nov 30, 2008 3:02 PM EST up 0 recs

I think he was referring to this.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 3:18 PM EST up 0 recs

If this House has the same bedside manner,

there may be a few sparks in the dugout next season (not that there weren’t any sparks this season, thanks to Dr. Guillen.)

by Steve Hovley on Nov 30, 2008 3:39 PM EST up 0 recs

John Gibbons will smooth things over

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Nov 30, 2008 4:11 PM EST up 0 recs

i see.

Not a big “house” the tv show fan. Actually never watched it.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Nov 30, 2008 4:44 PM EST up 0 recs

Nor have I

But I watch a lot of post-season baseball on FOX and they endlessly promote it

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 30, 2008 8:52 PM EST up 0 recs

what does "split contract" mean?

The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib

by buddyball on Nov 30, 2008 3:43 PM EST 0 recs

it means you get paid “X” amount if your on the MLB team, and “Y” amount if your in the minors.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 30, 2008 3:48 PM EST up 0 recs

But now it seems his contract is

of the minor league persuasion.

by minda33 on Nov 30, 2008 4:08 PM EST up 0 recs

yea

It’s a minor league deal, but rather than just get paid the league minimum if he’s on the MLB roster, it is specified in his contract what he makes if on the major league roster.

i think that is how it works anyways.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 30, 2008 4:38 PM EST up 0 recs

Yes, I think that's right

If/when he gets to the majors, he’ll probably make a prorated portion of $500K, and when he’s in Omaha, he’ll make a hell of a lot less than that.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 4:50 PM EST up 0 recs

ooooo

looks like we also signed a reliever per that link. must have just added that.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 30, 2008 4:40 PM EST up 0 recs

Franquelis Osoria

Terrific name, but his stats look like a mediocre minor league pitcher. Still just 26 years old, but he’s never been good strikeout guy (minor league career 6.02 K/9, 2.66 BB/9). Seems like just another minor league contract signing without much upside.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 4:54 PM EST up 0 recs

We Need To

Keep this guy around just so we can call him “Franqie-O”.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 30, 2008 6:59 PM EST up 1 recs

+11

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 7:28 PM EST up 0 recs

Good sign

I liked him when he was with the Dodgers I think. Can’t remember why. But I liked him. Maybe it was because Frankquelis Osoria is a cool name to say. Plus it would be cool to have Soria and Osoria.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 30, 2008 8:53 PM EST up 1 recs

Irish brother? O'Soria?

by Steve Hovley on Nov 30, 2008 9:00 PM EST up 0 recs

Whenever someone says "Irish Brother"

…I always think of Donald Faison riverdancing in a ridiculous leprechaun costume on Scrubs.

by DarthYoshi on Nov 30, 2008 11:29 PM EST up 0 recs

I would love to have Osoria as the setup man for Soria

He may not be a good pitcher, but it is lyrical.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 9:05 PM EST up 0 recs

O Soria!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 30, 2008 10:42 PM EST up 0 recs

I think DM should do what is necessary to acquire

Rafael Soriano
Isrrael Osorio

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Nov 30, 2008 11:07 PM EST up 0 recs

Soriano is a Brave

So it’s just a matter of time.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Dec 1, 2008 12:09 AM EST up 0 recs

Also known as the "Ducky Special"

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Nov 30, 2008 4:11 PM EST up 0 recs

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 30, 2008 4:42 PM EST up 0 recs

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 30, 2008 4:44 PM EST up 0 recs

This is interesting

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2008/11/30/675975/j-r-house-signs-with-royal

The Royals are both open-minded enough and bad enough at catcher that House, who has 60 career big-league at bats spread over five seasons, could finally get a real look in the majors.

Not everyday that the Pirates get to make fun of another team.

by BrRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 11:55 AM EST 0 recs

also says....

“We signed him to catch,” said Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo. “We thought J.R. was a good fit. He can also play first, he’s a right-handed hitter and with Kila [Ka’aihue] in Triple-A, we could have a right-left combination at first base as well.”

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Dec 1, 2008 12:30 PM EST up 0 recs

A platoon for Kila

Brilliant. The guy really did struggle last year after all.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 1, 2008 12:34 PM EST up 0 recs

yeah, a platoon for AAA

but never platoon in the major’s. good plan

The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib

by buddyball on Dec 1, 2008 1:30 PM EST up 0 recs

do you want to develop players or win championships?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Dec 1, 2008 1:35 PM EST up 0 recs

GMDM WTF?

How many times this offseason am I going to ask WTF Dayton? It’s been too goddamn many already. Kila is not a platoon player, he is a potential OBP-Homerun beast that you seem to want to chain to a bench in the minors. I get it, you hate Hawaiians, but do you really have to take out your frustrations on the fan base?

I do love the House signing though. Bring him up and trade Buck or Olivo. Hell get rid of them both and House and Pena can play.

by AxDxMx on Dec 1, 2008 4:36 PM EST up 0 recs

I wouldn’t react too strongly to one off the cuff statement by J.J. Picollo, who was basically just doing his best P.R. job after a minor signing. I really don’t think we have to worry about Kila being a part-time player. If that happens, then there will be cause to complain. I don’t think it’s time yet.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 4:48 PM EST up 0 recs

The Pirates not that long ago

Had a real good surplus of catching depth in their system. And for whatever reason instead of trading some of that depth to fill other holes, they’ve squandered much of it.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 1, 2008 12:34 PM EST up 0 recs