With the Royals exceeding their projected $70 million budget, they non-tendered four players but are likely to lose just two of the four.
The Royals non-tendered left-handed pitcher John Bale, outfielder Joey Gathright, utility player Jason Smith and right-handed pitcher Jario Cuevas. The first three were all arbitration-eligible. The Royals, however, later re-signed Bale to a one-year contract for $1.2 million, plus incentive bonuses. They also signed Cuevas, whom they reclaimed off waivers from the Braves, to a minor league contract. He had shoulder surgery on Aug. 22 and probably will not be ready to pitch before July.
Gathright, who was the first player Dayton Moore traded for when he was named the Royals' general manager, will not be coming back. He signed with the Cubs.
Bale began last season in the rotation, but after a miserable three starts, going 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA, he went on the disabled list with a fatigued shoulder and then broke his hand, reportedly hitting a hotel door in Cleveland.
Bale finished the season strong in the bullpen, not allowing a run in his final 10 appearances, covering 11 1/3 innings. Bale will be used as a reliever in 2009.
Gathright, whom the Royals acquired from the Devil Rays in a June 20, 2006, deal for left-hander J.P. Howell, led the Royals with 21 stolen bases last season. He hit .254 with only four extra-base hits (three doubles, one triple) in 279 at-bats. With the acquisition of center fielder Coco Crisp in an offseason trade with the Red Sox, Gathright became expendable.
Smith hit .214 in 22 games, spending most of the season with Class AAA Omaha, where he hit .253 in 110 games.
