Royals Start Shopping

 

Courtesy of Bob Dutton at The Kansas City Star, the Royals have signed Japanese relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta to a $6 million, two-year pact.  The contract includes a club option for a 3rd season.

Yabuta, 34, has pitched in Japan’s Pacific League for the last 12 years.  Last season, he posted a 4-6 record with a 2.73 ERA in 58 appearances.  He did also have a career-high 38 holds, a trendy stat nowadays for middle relievers.  Hey, the need something to hang their hat on during contract negotiations too (closers have saves). 

The Royals will now seek a power-hitting OF and a SP with the remainder of the offseason.  As noted here earlier at Fleece Factor, FA outfielder Jose Guillen became a top target once Torii Hunter signed with the Angels.  In the starting pitching department, the Royals preference seems to be signing Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who is 103-89 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 seasons.