Royals to Announce Four Signees
Word is afoot that the Royals will announce today the signing of four free agents. Unofficial word, via WHB radio, is that those four are Mark Grudzielanek, Doug Mientkiewicz, Paul Bako and Scott Elarton.
We discussed Grudzielanek and Mientkiewicz in some detail on yesterday’s post, but let me add one thought with regard to Mientkiewicz. His signing signals that Justin Huber is all but assured of playing most of the 2006 season in AAA Omaha, which is a dramatic shift away from the Royals compulsion to rush players to the majors over the last two to three years. I have learned my lesson over the last few years and now am sure that you really can’t ‘learn to play’ at the major league level.
Paul Bako is a backup catcher. As backup catchers go, he’s pretty non-descript. Given Paul Phillips’ good showing in late 2006 and Bako’s lackluster career numbers, this signing indicates to me that the Royals believe John Buck needs improvement in handling of pitchers. Anemic bat and good statistical numbers aside, Buck’s best way to improve this team is to coax a young pitching staff through a game. Hopefully, Bako is the guy to offer the kind of advice that will improve this apparent weakness.
Source: Most Valuable Network.
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