Grudzielanek gets Arb Offer

We offered it to him... now what?

11 months ago CollininCalifornia 76 comments 0 recs |

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sorry about the apostrophe

by CollininCalifornia on Dec 1, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

the

crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe

over the line smokey

by saintalfonzo on Dec 1, 2008 10:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

are we hoping to trade him come July 31, again? I don’t understand why we’d offer it to him… unless we know he’s going to decline and sign elsewhere.

by CollininCalifornia on Dec 1, 2008 7:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He's what...Type B?

Dayton has to be gambling that he’ll turn down the offer.

Right? Please tell me that’s what’s happening…

by Bornin85 on Dec 1, 2008 7:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well, we get a sandwich pick or a starting second baseman.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Dec 1, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully he's talked to Grudz and determined that he won't accept

If Grudz accepts, this was a stupid move. If he doesn’t then hello sandwich pick. Mmmmmmmmmmm, sandwich pick.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 7:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

isn't that a major violation of the rules?

by royalsreview on Dec 1, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

if he gets him to say it like he did

that “he wants to play for a winner” and “isn’t looking for the best contract” its probably fine.

Accidentally not thedude925 anymore. I do hate this new name.

by wildthang on Dec 1, 2008 10:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My money

Is on tuna on rye.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 1, 2008 10:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Big Tuna!

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

by devil_fingers on Dec 1, 2008 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Grrrrrrrr

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Dec 2, 2008 6:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Don't Like

The sound of this.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 1, 2008 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hmm...........

Werd.

by focs on Dec 1, 2008 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hmmm doesn't make any sense to me

What is the payroll if Grudz takes the 4M and they can’t unload Teahen?

It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.

by kcscoliny on Dec 1, 2008 8:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I guess it is a $800,000 gamble. We could release Grudz for 1/6 of the arbitration amount.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Dec 1, 2008 8:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just to compliment what you said

this from Dutton’s article —

The Royals retain some financial wiggle room if Grudzielanek accepts arbitration because arbitration-determined salaries are not guaranteed. Teams must pay only one-sixth of a salary if they release a player with 45 or more days remaining before Opening Day.

click for full article

by CollininCalifornia on Dec 1, 2008 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

That does lessen the risk considerably. Let’s say he gets awarded $5M in arbitration. 1/6th of that is only $833K. Is a sandwich pick worth an additional $833K over his signing bonus? Maybe. Add that to the chance that Grudz refuses arbitration and maybe this was a shrewd, smallish risk. That is, if they aren’t doing this because they really want him on the team next year.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As I Said

Elsewhere on this board, the money does not bother me. We simply have no room for Gritz on this team, especially if we obtain another MIF through FA. He cannot be part of a 4-man bench.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 1, 2008 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully Moore isn't considering having Grudz on the team

Hopefully he did this to get the compensation pick. And then the fall back position if he accepts arbitration is to just release him and be out only the $833K. If the Royals fallback position is to put him on the 25-man roster, then it is a stupid move.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Grudz is...

…willing to be an experienced back-up player, this is an okay move. We need some veteran leadership on the team, and Grudz is good in that regard despite diminishing skills. – TL

[In 2008] Kila Ka’aihue had the best on-base percentage of any hitter in the minor leagues. - Joe Posnanski, 11/9/2008 ... Ergo, let's give him a shot at first base in KC in 2009.

by timlacy on Dec 2, 2008 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Grudz is…willing to be an experienced back-up player, this is an okay move.

The only problem with this theory is that it assumes that if Grudz is on the 25-man roster that Hillman would choose to use him as a back-up player. I bet he’d use him as the starting, almost everyday 2B.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I personally think that when he’s healthy he’s still probably going to be a better player than Callaspo, but probably not much, and what’s the point of spending all that money next year for a guy just a bit better while not finding out what the team has with Callaspo?

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

by devil_fingers on Dec 2, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I think they would be similar players overall in 2009. But Callaspo is improving and has a future while Grudz is going in the other direction. If he accepts arbitration, the only smart move is to release him so that the Royals are only out $833K. I wouldn’t mind wasting a bench spot him, but I would mind wasting $4-5M on him.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Grud says he's 98% likely to decline

Because he wants to have a better shot at winning next year.

Just like I said five months ago. /end self pump

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3697379&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Dec 1, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You can have full self pump if he actually does reject arbitration.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it makes a lot of sense actually

Best case scenario – Grudz accept reality that he won’t be starting here and signs elsewhere

Worst case scenario – Grudz decides to accept, we get some more middle infield depth that we need anyway, Grudz on a one year $4 million deal isn’t bad, and we might even be able to trade him before the season to a number of teams that need a veteran 2B (Philly, I’m looking at you!)

Good move. My guess is they talked to Grudz and he says he’s not coming back (“I’ve picked up my last folding chair for Trey!”) so they offered him arbitration.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 1, 2008 9:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

From Your Fingertips

To god’s eyes.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 1, 2008 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

are you saying that to deny Grudz a starting spot is to poke God in the eye?

God must really like Grudz. This is going to be a tough one for General Manager Dayton “Flanders” Moore.

Who said we were going to bench Mark? That’s an abso-diddly-ute lie!

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

by devil_fingers on Dec 1, 2008 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

(with the exception is that the worst case scenario is that Grudz gets $5.5M in arbitration – I think $5M is likely)

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 1, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The move becomes brilliant

It sounds like he’s not going to accept. Even if he accepted it wouldn’t be a bad thing, but since he’s not going to, the move is Beane-esque. Tom Gorman of BP says “General Manager Billy Beane is famous for snatching up free agents in the last year of their contracts so that he can hoard [sandwich] picks.” I saw a list of recent sandwich picks the other day—damned if I can find it now—and I was very impressed with the list. Joba Chamberlain was a sandwich pick, not to mention Mike Montgomery, who BP named our 3rd best prospect if I remember right.

So cheers to GMDM, I’ll take another Montgomery. Thank you sir, may I please have another.

I'm about to change my username to DannyDuffyfan

by jackie ballgame on Dec 1, 2008 9:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's a great way to build the farm system if you pick the right guys

That’s always been the challenge for the Royals in the past but the past couple of drafts are encouraging. One of the results is you get the depth of having more top 50 talent. It is the long term solution for KC’s success and an argument for why the Royals have been so lousy from 2004-2006. Just look at the draft failure from 2000-2003.

by daveyork on Dec 1, 2008 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He'll probably turn it down he says

according to Royals.com.

I don’t know why he would want to play here, especially if we hinted he wouldn’t be starting for us anymore. Go play for a contender while we try to become one.

by AxDxMx on Dec 1, 2008 11:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

well, lets see where he signs...

but yea

by royalsreview on Dec 1, 2008 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Like I've been saying for a while...

he wants to play for a contender so it’ s a great gamble. At worst, we have a .290 hitter on our bench/starting.

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

by 306008 on Dec 2, 2008 12:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, $%&$%#^$%6

I hope he declines. No offense Grudz, but wow….if you’re a Royal AGAIN I might have to do my next article on “why the hell won’t a rebuilding team stop re-signing ‘eyechart’?”

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Dec 2, 2008 6:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

roger that

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by marbotty on Dec 2, 2008 6:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm fully aware my comment is somewhat...err...emotional

I’ve been somewhat out of whack lately. I’ll be a stat-hugging robot again soon.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Dec 2, 2008 6:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just because it's emotional

doesn’t mean it’s not the correct sentiment

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by marbotty on Dec 2, 2008 6:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is that the comment assumes he was offered arbitration because the Royals want him to be on the team again. While that is possible, I think it is a faulty assumption. We’ll see.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm out of whack

You’re probably right.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Dec 2, 2008 9:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no need to back off of steam-blowing-off

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

by devil_fingers on Dec 2, 2008 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

end of the semester wackiness?

it is almost over.

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 2, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, pretty much

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Dec 3, 2008 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On another note

Adam Dunn was NOT offered arbitration. WTF? Sign him!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 2, 2008 9:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thundercats are GOOOOOOOOOOO

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Dec 2, 2008 9:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also not offered arbitration

Pat Burrell
Bobby Abreu
Kerry Wood
Randy Wolf

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Neither Was I

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 2, 2008 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Odd since you said you were 98% certain you were leaving!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 2, 2008 10:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

they couldn't risk Phil getting $15M in the hearing

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

by devil_fingers on Dec 2, 2008 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Veteran Presence

Is invaluable.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 2, 2008 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not to mention grit

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 2, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That Would Have

Gone without saying.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 2, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not with me around

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 2, 2008 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Think this has anything to do with Furcal?

I realize that Grudz has already said that he’s 95-98% sure he’s not coming back, but I’m still wondering if the decision to offer him had something to do with the likelihood of Furcal signing with the Royals.

As in, if Furcal was going to sign, there wouldn’t have been the money available to offer on the off-chance that Grudz accepts.

by Top Ramen on Dec 2, 2008 10:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the Royals have been out of the running for Furcal from early on

And I think the trades for Jacobs and Crisp (which increased payroll by about $8M net) showed that the Royals probably weren’t in the running for a guy as expensive as Furcal.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

did I read that Furcal was not offered arbitration?

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 2, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wouldn't matter

he wasn’t a type A or B.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Dec 2, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DAYTON MOORE CHAT TODAY AT 3PM

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/fan_forum/chat.jsp?c_id=kc&partnerId=ed-2144644-55421350&source=ed-2144644-55421350

ATTACK!

by AxDxMx on Dec 2, 2008 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

So, with Grudz gone... what????

We pick up a SS and move Aviles to 2B. Or, we have Calles at 2B and Aviles at short. Somehow the later doesn’t fill me with confidence about our middle infield next season. How about picking up JJ Hardy?

by grudz96 on Dec 2, 2008 1:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Aviles was great at short last year.

In fact, seeing him play 2B a couple times I think he is actually better at short, and from his comments about his natural position being SS, I think he thinks so too.

by AxDxMx on Dec 2, 2008 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's Try Teahen

At 2B; his bat would be a + there, and he’s out of positions to play.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 2, 2008 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is that Teahen’s very limited range at 3B would likely be awful at 2B. Teahen handles what is hit to him pretty well, but his range is very limited.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 4:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Wasn't Serious

But I think I did suggest that a couple of years ago.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 2, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

reminds me of

Randa and Michael Tucker to 2nd talk.

by BrRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A couple of years ago, I was in favor of trying that in spring training

…and seeing if he could manage it. But from what I’ve seen of his defensive stats at 3B, there’s no reason to believe he could handle a middle IF position. Teahen is limited to the corners, but at least he can play all four of them.

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

by NYRoyal on Dec 2, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs