The Mets are close to an agreement with free agent first baseman Mike Jacobs on a minor league contract, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
He would get an invite to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Jacobs hit just .228/.297/.401 and struck out 132 times in 434 at-bats last year for the Royals, but he has a career .830 OPS against righties and boasts a decent amount of power. As far as no-risk fliers go, this is a decent one -- it wouldn't be shocking to see Jacobs enter into a platoon in New York.
Royals re-signed 2B Jeff Bianchi to a minor league contract.
Bianchi, 23, batted .308/.358/.405 with nine home runs, 70 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 490 at-bats last season while splitting 128 games between Single-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He's probably a year or two away from being ready to contribute on the big league level.
Royals re-signed RHP Victor Marte to a minor league contract.
Marte was called up to the big leagues in September of last season and posted an ugly 8.25 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 12 innings of relief. The 29-year-old righty had a 2.13 ERA and a 53/25 K/BB ratio in 42 1/3 frames during his time at Triple-A Omaha, though, and could find his way back to the majors this season.
The Red Sox, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Rockies watched free agent Oscar Villarreal throw on Friday, according to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
Villarreal's fastball was clocked between 89 and 90 MPH, which is pretty impressive considering he's just nine months removed from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old right-hander is hoping to score a minor league contract and a camp invite before spring training gets underway. He had a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings back in 2008, his last healthy season.
Royals designated infielder Mario Lisson for assignment.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Rick Ankiel, who was signed to a one-year, $3.25 million contract this weekend. Lisson, 25, hit just .227/.283/.373 between Double-A and Triple-A last season.
Rick Ankiel will be Kansas City's starting center fielder, while Jose Guillen is being shifted to designated hitter, according to GM Dayton Moore.
Scott Podsednik will take over in left field and last year's left fielder, David Dejesus, will move to right. The Royals apparently promised Ankiel the center field gig when they inked him to a one-year, $3.25 million contract Thursday. They might soon regret it. He boasts one of the best outfield arms in baseball, but he doesn't have great instincts in center and his range is poor.
Royals signed OF Rick Ankiel to a one-year, $3.25 million contract with a $6 million mutual option for 2011.
Ankiel, 30, batted just .231/.285/.387 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI with the Cardinals last season. Coincidence or not, his production completely collapsed after he crashed into the center field fence last May. He'll be provided with a fine chance to re-establish his value in Kansas City, but the jury is still out on whether he can actually be a productive everyday player in the major leagues.
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