Royals exercise option, keep Yost through 2013
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Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez covers first in a drill for pitchers Tuesday in Peoria, Ariz. The Mariners were the first team to open camp, welcoming pitchers and catchers Sunday.
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The Kansas City Royals exercised their option on manager Ned Yost to keep him with the club through the 2013 season.
The team announced the move six days before pitchers and catchers are to report to the Royals' spring training home in Surprise, Ariz.
Yost was hired in May 2010 to replace Trey Hillman. He signed a two-year extension that July that included a club option for next season.
Yost is just 126-163 since taking over the Royals, but he's been credited with helping bring along one of the youngest rosters in baseball.
A youthful team led by Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas is expected to begin contending in the AL Central for the first time in years.
Yost last fall shook up his coaching staff, parting with pitching coach Bob McClure and bench coach John Gibbons.
He replaced McClure with former Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland, who will be asked to develop a young rotation that was long on talent but short on results as the Royals finished 24 games out of first place in the AL Central.
McClure oversaw the development of former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, now with the Brewers, along with starters such as Luke Hochevar and Danny Duffy.
Headed into this season, the Royals have at least upgraded their starting rotation by trading Melky Cabrera to San Francisco for left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, and bolstered their bullpen by acquiring Jose Mijares and Jonathan Broxton.
A person familiar with the deal said that Tampa Bay and manager Joe Maddon agreed on a three-year contract extension after leading the team to the playoffs three of the past four seasons. The Rays have scheduled a news conference today at Tropicana Field to make a "special announcement." The Rays are 495-477, have won two AL East titles and made the playoffs three times in six seasons under Maddon, 58.
Baltimore and center fielder Adam Jones have agreed to a $6.15 million, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration. Jones made $3.25 million last season, when he hit .280 and set career highs in games (151), doubles (26), homers (25) and RBIs (83).
Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, 34, agreed to a one-year contract with the White Sox that guarantees him $1 million. He will get a $500,000 salary this year, and the White Sox have a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.
The Milwaukee Brewers won their arbitration case against former Pirates reliever Jose Veras, who was awarded a $2 million salary rather than his request for $2,375,000. ... Baltimore Orioles vice president of baseball operations, Dan Duquette, said the club was no longer interested in signing free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez, 39, who retired last season rather than serve a suspension for violating Baseball's drug policy. ... Nelson Cruz's $16 million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers includes a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $5 million this year and $10.5 million in 2013. ... Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn was scheduled for surgery today to remove a new cancerous tumor inside his right cheek.
First Published February 15, 2012 12:00 am
