Royals signed LHP Horacio Ramirez, who had been with the White Sox, to a one-year, $1.8 million contract.
It's Brett Tomko all over again. Ramirez, the AL's worst starter while with the Mariners in 2007, had some success with the Royals as a reliever last year, posting a 2.59 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. However, the team now intends to move him back into the rotation, probably at Luke Hochevar's expense. Ramirez simply doesn't get enough strikeouts to make it as a starting pitcher in the American League. He might be of use once the team moves him back into the pen, but he's not worth $1.8 million.

Royals signed RHP Doug Waechter, who had been with the Marlins, to a one-year, $640,000 contract.
Because the 27-year-old was arbitration eligible, the cheapest team in baseball took Waechter off its 40-man roster in October even after he posted a 3.69 ERA in 63 1/3 innings last season. There's nothing wrong with the Royals taking a chance on him at this price. He's a pretty generic middle reliever, but there won't be much harm in cutting him if he turns in a bad April.
Horacio is back and fans are happy because he betters the chances of fans snagging a homerun ball. I just don't get it. The Royals trade two good relievers and replace them with Farnsworth and now this? What are you doing Moore!!