There is a club option for 2013 for $3.5M with a $500k buyout.

Meanwhile, the Royals are on the hook to Jeff Francoeur for 2 years at $13.5M.

First time doing one of these so lets see how it goes. This is a very helpful insightful article on the royals website. Just thought I'd share it with you guys.

Not really anything we didn't already know, but this is worth a note:
"SLEEPER ALERT: Humberto Arteaga, SS: Signed for just over $1 million in 2010 Arteaga is a strong defender with good range, hands and actions. He also has a solid arm. He doesn’t project to hit for power and he isn’t a stolen base threat so his offensive value will be tied up in his ability to hit for a decent average. He recently turned 18 and may spend another season in extended spring training before an assignment to short-season ball."

Rob doesn't think adding a vet like Oswalt or Jackson would have mattered much, but isn't thrilled with sticking with young pitchers. So...what exactly should they have done?

1) Why does it seem that a lot of famous people die comparatively young?

2) Which living person do you think has consumed the most cocaine? My money's on Keith Richards.

3) No pro baseball players have admitted to being gay until their retirement, and even then it was only two or three. Is it possible that this is not discrimination, but rather that most gay people have little interest in playing baseball?

4) What image do you have of Spain? Don't worry if your image turns out to be wrong, I'd just like to know what you think.

5) Who's your favorite current Royal?

BONUS: What's your favorite country song?

Frenchy was a local kid and a first round pick - how did he come out of nowhere?

I assume the option was mutual.

Somewhere in suburban Chicago, a dermatologist is sobbing, wondering how it all went wrong.

Cespedes is Spanish for Hatteberg.