NewsRoyals' Wright files for free agency
Reliever led team in appearances in 2009
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
11/05/09 8:00 PM EST
KANSAS CITY -- Royals pitcher Jamey Wright was among 79 Major Leaguers who filed for free agency on Thursday, their first opportunity to do so.Players have 15 days from the end of the World Series to file.
Wright was a bullpen workhorse, appearing in a team-high 65 games with a 3-5 record and 4.33 ERA. More than any reliever, he was hurt by the American League's lowest-ranked defense, with 13 unearned runs scored against him. That was the most for a Major League reliever since 14 for Tony Castillo of the White Sox in 1997.
Rebuilding the bullpen is one of Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore's priorities, and it's not clear if Wright could be a fit again in 2010.
Two highly regarded Royals players, catcher Miguel Olivo and center fielder Coco Crisp, have options on their contracts which, if not exercised, would make them free agents.
Olivo and the Royals have a mutual option on his $3.3 million contract for 2010, with a $100,000 buyout if the club declines the deal. The club holds the option on Crisp's $8 million contract, with a $500,000 buyout. The Olivo decision must be made within three days after the World Series, while the Crisp decision must come within five days.
In addition, the Royals hold an option on pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta's $4 million contract, which carries a $500,000 buyout. Because of Yabuta's struggles in his two seasons, the Royals are expected to opt out of the deal and make him a free agent. That also must be decided within five days.
One other pitcher, left-hander Bruce Chen, also is eligible to file.
The Royals are not expected to pick up Crisp's $8 million deal, which is no surprise because he underwent surgery on each shoulder last summer. However, it's possible the club could make him an offer at a lower base salary in a deal sweetened by incentives dependent on his playing time.
Even though Crisp obviously was hampered by his shoulder problems early last season, the Royals were impressed by his approach at the plate and his value as a leadoff batter, base-stealer and center fielder.
Olivo, too, had considerable pluses, as he led the club with 23 home runs and was Zack Greinke's catcher during his Cy Young-worthy season. Even so, Olivo probably wasn't behind the plate as often (97 starts) as he anticipated last season after the Royals assured him he was the No. 1 catcher.
Because the catching market is slim as usual, Olivo might want to test his worth on the free-agent market. Also, the Royals could decide to look elsewhere to clear up their rather unsettled situation behind the plate. Catchers John Buck and Brayan Pena also are in the picture.
A big issue was the number of pitches skipping past and through the catching staff. The Royals led the Major Leagues with 89 wild pitches and had the fourth-most passed balls (14), including 10 charged to Olivo. Despite a strong arm, Olivo caught just 17 of 73 base-stealers (19 percent). Buck started 41 games, his hitting never took off and, despite his other defensive pluses, runners took advantage of him, swiping 40 bases in 48 tries. There was even an experimental period with Pena (24 starts), and he seemed a promising hitter but a catcher who was given a schooling course on defense before games.
Chen worked his way back from elbow surgery and pitched in 17 games (nine starts) with a 1-6 record and 5.78 ERA. Not good numbers, but after missing most of two years, he did have a few bright moments. With the Royals in short supply of left-handers, he might have some appeal.
Yabuta was a disappointment, with a 7.14 ERA and a 3-4 record in parts of two seasons with the Royals. Brought over from Japan with a two-year, $6 million deal, he's likely to become a free agent at age 36.
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
