The Royals have been linked to several free agent middle infielders, most notably shortstop Rafael Furcal, and others via trade speculation since the curtain dropped on the 2008 season. 

The Royals have been linked to several free agent middle infielders, most notably shortstop Rafael Furcal, and others via trade speculation since the curtain dropped on the 2008 season. 

The Royals have been linked to several free agent middle infielders, most notably shortstop Rafael Furcal, and others via trade speculation since the curtain dropped on the 2008 season. 

Remaining free agents 

The Royals have been linked to several free agent middle infielders, most notably shortstop Rafael Furcal, and others via trade speculation since the curtain dropped on the 2008 season. 

--Published reports have connected the Royals to free agent UT Jerry Hairston Jr. 

The Royals had more questions than answers entering the offseason. 

The Royals have been linked to several free agent middle infielders, most notably shortstop Rafael Furcal, and others via trade speculation since the curtain dropped on the 2008 season. 

--Published reports have connected the Royals to free agent UT Jerry Hairston Jr. 

The Royals had more questions than answers entering the offseason. 

The Royals had more questions than answers entering the offseason. 

The Royals have been linked to several free agent middle infielders, most notably shortstop Rafael Furcal, and others via trade speculation since the curtain dropped on the 2008 season. 

--Published reports have connected the Royals to free agent UT Jerry Hairston Jr. 

With the Royals exceeding their projected $70 million budget, they non-tendered four players but are likely to lose just two of the four. 

--RHP Luke Hudson, who refused an outright assignment to the minor last month and became a free agent, returned to the Royals organization on a minor league contract.