Keppinger DFA

From MLB.com: Infielder Jeff Keppinger was designated for assignment on Tuesday by the Royals, clearing room for pitcher David Riske on the 40-man roster.

Keppinger played 22 games for the Royals in the season's last month, batting .267 (16-for-60) with two home runs and six RBIs.

With Mark Teahen out for surgery, Keppinger started 12 games at third base as well as three at first base and one at second base. His highlight was his first Royals hit -- a three-run homer in the 12th inning Sept. 9 at Boston that sparked a 10-4 win over the Red Sox.

Keppinger batted .354 for Triple-A Omaha after being obtained on July 19 from the New York Mets in a trade for second baseman Ruben Gotay.

Riske was signed on Dec. 20 as a free agent but was held off the roster pending a physical examination and clearing of paperwork.

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070102&content_id=1772065& ;vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

I do not know how much demand there is right now for AAAA infielders.  The Reds DFAed  Brandan Harris last week and had to trade him to the Devil Rays for a PTNL.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070102&content_id=1771957&v key=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

I think Harris is more or less on the same level as Keppinger.  Since the Reds didn't find much interest in Harris it stands to reason there will also be little in Keppinger.  Hopefully the Royals will be able to get him through waivers and he'll accept a job at Omaha for the time being.  I think he's a very solid guy to have in the organization for depth and protection.  That said, at his age it is doubtful he'll ever develop into more than he is today, so if the Royals do loose him it will be a very sustainable blow.

Harris minor leauge #s - 606 games .295/.363/.469/.832

Keppinger minor leauge #s - 503 games .315/.368/.413/.781