With the AL Central race getting tightening up, and players like Carlos Quentin, Darwin Barney, and Zach Grienke being linked to the Indians, White Sox, and Tigers, it’s the Royals that have drawn first blood. You read that correctly, the Royals… After being the laughing stock of the American League for nearly two decades the Royals have made their own mid-summer splash by signing catcher Jason Kendall to a minor league contract!
Kendall, 38, is a three-time All-Star, defensive wizard, and boasts a .288 career batting average. We are talking about the total package. He has reported to Northwest Arkansas, the Royals Class AA affiliate, and is expected to behind the plate tonight.
Now I know there are some skeptics out there who will point out that Kendall is way past his prime, hasn’t played in the majors since 2010, hasn’t been an All-Star in 12 years, and hasn’t come close to hitting his career average since 2006, but I say bullshit. I move like this tells me that the Royals front office isn’t f*cking around. They’re in it to win it.
Word around the campfire is the Royals aren’t finished either. There are rumors that the Royals are also looking to get Mike Hampton, Kevin Appier, Ken Caminiti, and Gary Gaetti to sign minor league contracts (I’m guessing they’re unaware Caminiti is dead).
If I was a Royals fan, I’d be out of my goddamn mind with excitement. It’s moves like this that tell me that the Royals front office is finally getting their shit together and refuses to be an American League doormat.
I want to hear from Royals fans. I know there are at least 40 of you out there. Email me at jay@thesportsriot.net and share your excitement! You can also drop a comment, follow us on Twitter @TheSportsRiot, or Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSportsRiot. Let’s go Royals!!!
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