The Royals are only paying about $2.5 million of the $5.45 million Jason LaRue is due next season.
The Reds will cover the rest of the contract after trading him to Kansas City on Monday. For that little money, we like this quite a bit better for the Royals.
Royals purchased the contract of LHP Neal Musser, LHP Danny Christensen and RHP Carlos Rosa.
Musser, 26, is getting added to the roster after just re-signing with the organization on a minor league contract. Both left-handers pitched well in the Arizona Fall League, and Musser could figure into the bullpen picture next spring.
Royals designated second baseman Donnie Murphy for assignment.
Ruben Gotay reached Kansas City as a 21-year-old in 2004 and Murphy made his debut as a 22-year-old the following year. At the time, both looked like legitimate second base prospects. However, neither made any progress after his major league debut and the Royals have to get at least part of the blame. Murphy batted .249/.300/.437 at Double-A Wichita last season. He'll probably clear waivers.
Royals designated LHP Juan Cedeno for assignment.
Cedeno, 23, went 2-9 with a 5.78 ERA and a 65/78 K/BB ratio in 90 1/3 innings for Double-A Wichita last season. He has very good velocity for a left-hander, but he just can't do anything with it. It doesn't look like the Royals will have anything to show from the 2005 trade with the Red Sox that netted them Cedeno and Chip Ambres for Tony Graffanino.
A few rumors from the past few days. Can someone sticky this?