Royals Reach Agreement With Last Five Unsigned Players

After going in waves, the Royals now have every player on the 40 man roster signed to a contract for 2013. Today they announced agreements with five players on their major league roster:

• Right-handed pitcher Aaron Crow ($1.28 million)
• Right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza ($532,000)
• Right-handed pitcher Louis Coleman ($511,000)
• Right-handed pitcher Guillermo Moscoso ($504,250)
• Left-handed pitcher Francisley Bueno ($492,650)

September 27, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Aaron Crow (43) pitches during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Crow and Mendoza are solid locks to make the team out of spring training as long as they’re healthy. Coleman might be he last man in the bullpen, but with the Royals wanting to keep whichever two candidates miss out on the fifth starter spot, he may end up in Omaha since he has options left.

It’s a pretty stacked bullpen when Louis Coleman isn’t a vital part of it, but then, that’s the logistical game that teams run into sometimes.

Moscoso is an interesting case, as he’s out of options and so he has to be put through waivers to go to the minor leagues, otherwise he’d have to make the club out of spring training. So far he’s thrown four innings this spring, with three strikeouts and one walk and allowed no runs. In previous seasons, he might be part of the fifth starter battle. Instead, this year, he may be a guy they try to sneak through waivers in the final days of camp. As Bob Dutton has said during the Royals spring broadcasts when he’s joined the radio booth, it’s a crapshoot as far as which guys actually get through.

Bueno could be in the mix for a job in the bullpen as well as a lefty specialist. So far in three appearances, Donnie Joseph has been much more impressive, but he’s another player with options who could be stashed in Omaha. If he continues to strike batters out and show good command, though, he’ll force the Royals hand and Bueno will be shut out.

All salaries are contingent on everyone playing the full year on the major league roster. The Royals project to open the season with a $79 million payroll, a new franchise record.