--SS Mike Aviles, who hit .325 with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs in 102 games after a May 29 promotion from the minors, was selected the Royals' Player of the Year. Aviles finished fourth in the American League rookie of the year balloting.
--RHP Joakim Soria, who logged 42 saves in 45 opportunities and had a 1.60 ERA in 63 relief appearances, was the unanimous choice as the Royals' Pitcher of the Year. Soria was a Rule 5 pick from the Padres after the 2006 season. --RHP Zack Greinke, who went 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts, was selected for the Joe Burke Special Achievement Award. Greinke missed most of the 2006 season for personal reasons.
--RHP Brandon Duckworth, who was 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts, signed a one-year contract after he cleared waivers. He was outrighted to Class AAA Omaha but will be a non-roster invitee to spring training. Duckworth, who has also pitched in the majors for the Astros and Phillies, has worked out of the bullpen in previous years. With Duckworth off the 40-man roster, the Royals have 38 players on it.
--C Matt Tupman, who was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier in the fall, and 1B Mike Stodolka, who was a 2000 first-round pick as a left-handed pitcher, were among 17 Royals filing for minor league free agency. Stodolka moved to first base in 2006 after having Tommy John surgery in 2003. Tupman singled in his only big league at-bat last season with Kansas City.
BY THE NUMBERS: 46-63 -- The Royals' record in night games in 2008.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He just did it all. He was by far our most valuable pitcher because in years past there was no one who did anything close to that. We probably would've lost six or seven more games this year if it wasn't for him closing." -- RHP Zack Greinke, on closer Joakim Soria.
