KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Reliever Jonathan Broxton and the Kansas City Royals agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract that guarantees the right-hander $4 million, solidifying one of the big league’s youngest bullpens and providing a setup man for closer Joakim Soria.

The agreement, which is pending a physical, also includes performance bonuses.

Kansas City was willing to take a chance on Broxton despite his being limited to just 14 games for the Dodgers last season because of elbow trouble. A two-time All-Star, the 27-year-old Broxton made $7 million last season as part of an $11 million, two-year deal.

“We are delighted to add someone as talented as Jonathan to our bullpen,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a statement.

Broxton will be introduced in Kansas City on Wednesday.

Several teams were interested in Broxton, despite the fact that he was just 1-2 with seven saves and a 5.68 ERA in 14 games for Los Angeles last season. Broxton was placed on the disabled list on May 6 with bone spurs in his right elbow that required surgery on Sept. 19.

He’s expected to be ready to pitch by spring training.

The Royals return their promising young starting lineup largely intact, but pitching was another matter. The rotation was spotty at best, and the bullpen squandered far too many leads before it could get the ball to Soria, who also had a down season.

That’s why Moore has spent the offseason remodeling the entire staff.

He traded outfielder Melky Cabrera, who was coming off a career year, to the San Francisco Giants for left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez and another pitching prospect. Moore then signed free agent Bruce Chen — the Royals’ best starter the past two seasons — to a $9 million, two-year deal.

Now, the Royals have added a seasoned reliever to their young bullpen.

Broxton was an All-Star in 2009 and 2010 for the Dodgers, picking up the save for the National League in the 2010 All-Star game. Since making his debut for Los Angeles in 2005, Broxton has gone 25-20 with 84 saves and a 3.19 ERA in 386 appearances, all in relief.

His strikeout ratio of 11.55 per nine innings is the third-highest in the big leagues since 2005 among pitchers with at least 350 innings, giving Kansas City the kind of power-throwing arm out of the bullpen that the Royals lacked the last several years.

	   The postseason history of the St. Louis Cardinals:
World Series (Won 10, Lost 7)
	   2006 -- Beat Detroit Tigers, 4-1
	   2004 -- Lost to Boston Red Sox, 4-0
	   1987 -- Lost to Minnesota Twins 4-3
	   1985 -- Lost to Kansas City Royals, 4-3
	   1982 -- Beat Milwaukee Brewers, 4-3
	   1968 -- Lost to Detroit Tigers, 4-3
	   1967 -- Beat Boston Red Sox, 4-3
	   1964 -- Beat New York Yankees, 4-3
	   1946 -- Beat Boston Red Sox, 4-3
	   1944 -- Beat St. Louis Browns, 4-2
	   1943 -- Lost to New York Yankees, 4-1
	   1942 -- Beat New York Yankees, 4-1
	   1934 -- Beat Detroit Tigers, 4-3
	   1931 -- Beat Philadelphia Athletics, 4-3
	   1930 -- Lost to Philadelphia Athletics, 4-2
	   1928 -- Lost to New York Yankees, 4-0
	   1926 -- Beat New York Yankees, 4-3
	   Record -- Won 52, Lost 53
League Championship Series (Won 6, Lost 4)
	   2011 -- Beat Milwaukee, 4-2
	   2006 -- Beat New York Mets, 4-3
	   2005 -- Lost to Houston Astros, 4-2
	   2004 -- Beat Houston Astros, 4-3
	   2002 -- Lost to San Francisco Giants, 4-1
	   2000 -- Lost to New York Mets, 4-1
	   1996 -- Lost to Atlanta Braves, 4-3
	   1987 -- Beat San Francisco Giants, 4-3
	   1985 -- Beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2
	   1982 -- Beat Atlanta Braves, 3-0
	   Record -- Won 30, Lost 29
Divisional Championship Series (Won 7, Lost 2)
	   2011 -- Beat Philadelphia Phillies, 3-2
	   2009 -- Lost to Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-0
	   2006 -- Beat San Diego Padres, 3-1
	   2005 -- Beat San Diego Padres, 3-0
	   2004 -- Beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-1
	   2002 -- Beat Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-0
	   2001 -- Lost to Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-2
	   2000 -- Beat Atlanta Braves, 3-0
	   1996 -- Beat San Diego Padres, 3-0
	   Record -- Won 23, Lost 10

By Matt Hays

Read More: Bruce Chen (P – KAN), Billy Butler (DH – KAN), Alex Gordon (LF – KAN), Joakim Soria (P – KAN), Fernando Rodney (P – ANA), Matt Treanor (C – KAN), Melky Cabrera (CF – KAN), Scott Kazmir (P – ANA), Howie Kendrick (2B – ANA), Alberto Callaspo (3B – ANA), Wilson Betemit (3B – KAN), Brayan Pena (C – KAN), Jason Bulger (P – ANA), Alcides Escobar (SS – KAN), Mike Aviles (3B – KAN), Chris Getz (2B – KAN), Kevin Jepsen (P – ANA), Jarrod Dyson (CF – KAN), Aaron Crow (P – KAN), Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox

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Apr 3, 2011 - For the second time in three days, the Kansas City Royals won on a walk-off home run. Facing two on and two out, new Royals catcher Matt Treanor took a Jason Bulger 3-1 slider deep into the late April afternoon sky to give the Royals a come from behind 12-9 victory. With the win, Kansas City now sits as 3-1, having won the last three games. That ties last season’s longest string of consecutive victories.

The Royals jumped on Angels starter Scott Kazmir from the beginning, scoring five runs in the first two innings. Kazmir lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up five runs and two walks on 63 pitches, including a two out second inning solo home run by Melky Cabrera.

The long ball was a theme of the day, as the two teams combined for eight home runs, one sky of the Kauffman Stadium record. A stiff wind blowing out to right field, approaching 40 miles-per-hour, combined with an early April heat wave made conditions perfect for a high scoring game. Cabrera, Billy Butler, and Treanor all homered for Kansas City, while Howie Kendrick had two home runs for the Angels, and three for the series.

Los Angeles was able to claw back against Royals starter Bruce Chen, scoring twice in both the third and fourth innings to draw within one. Chen finished with five innings pitched, giving up five runs on eight hits, while striking out three and walking two. Chen gave up solo home runs to Macier Izturis and Kendrick in the third, and again to Kendrick in the fifth.

Eventually the Royals found themselves in a two-run hole going into the bottom of the ninth, with Angels closer Fernando Rodney on the hill. Rodney last just a third of an inning as he walked Alex Gordon leading off the ninth. After Butler lined out sharply to shortstop, Ka`aihue and Francoeur walked, before Wilson Betemit doubled with the bases loaded to tie the game. The damage was done and Kevin Jepsen came into to relieve Rodney.

After the game became tied, the Royals had the bases loaded with one out and Treanor at the plate. In yesterday’s 8th inning rally, Treanor contributed a key hit in the comeback to defeat the Angeles. However Jepsen got Treanor to hit a grounder to Alberto Callaspo that caused a force out at the plate, and then Mike Aviles grounded to Callaspo to end the inning and take both teams into extras for the first time this season.

Joakim Soria took to the mound in the 10th inning and after retiring the first batter, gave up a single to Izturis, who was then caught stealing by Treanor. After walking Kendrick, Abreu singled to give the Angles a first and third situation with two out. However, Torri Hunter popped up the first pitch he saw to Alcides Escobar to end the inning.

The extra innings didn’t produce much offense as both teams found themselves in less than ideal roster situations as the game went on. Kansas City was out of bench players, while Los Angeles eventually was down to Bulger, the last man in the bullpen.

In the bottom of the 13th inning, Chris Getz reached on an error and stole second (one of six Royals stolen bases on the day). Jeff Francouer then grounded out, advancing Getz to third. After Wilson Betemit was intentionality walked,  Alcides Escobar reached first on a fielder’s choice to Bulger who threw out Getz at home. That all set the stage for Treanor, who has had one heck of week. After being traded to Kansas City on Monday, Treanor was involved in plays at the plate which resulted in saved runs on Thursday and Saturday. Then today after not expecting to play, Treanor was inserted into the lineup in the ninth inning after Jarrod Dyson had pitch-ran for Brayan Pena in the eighth inning.

Rookie Tim Collins was brilliant as he picked up the victory for Kansas City, tossing three innings of relief and giving up just two hits. He struck out five. Bulger took the loss for Los Angeles. It was the second day in a row that a rookie picked up the win for Kansas City, as former Mizzou standout Aaron Crow picked up his first career win yesterday.

Kansas City has an off day tomorrow and then will be facing the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at 7:10CST inside Kauffman Stadium. Luke Hochevar will start for the Royals. The boxscore from today can be viewed here.

By Matt Hays

Read More: Dan Haren (P – ANA), Robinson Tejeda (P – KAN), Billy Butler (DH – KAN), Alex Gordon (LF – KAN), Joakim Soria (P – KAN), Jeff Francis (P – KAN), Howie Kendrick (2B – ANA), Erick Aybar (SS – ANA), Ervin Santana (P – ANA), Vernon Wells (LF – ANA), Jeff Francoeur (RF – KAN), Brayan Pena (C – KAN), Kyle Davies (P – KAN), Mike Aviles (3B – KAN), Kila Ka`aihue (1B – KAN), Jordan Walden (P – ANA), Michael Kohn (P – ANA), Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels

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Apr 1, 2011 - For nearly two and half hours this evening, the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals fought and clawed through a pitchers duel that was all over in the blink of an eye. Royals first basemen Kila Ka`aihue took the second pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning off Angels reliever Michael Kohn deep to right center field to give the Royals a 2-1 win and their first victory of the 2011 season.

Left-hander Jeff Francis made his debut in a Royals uniform and was superb, pitching seven full innings and giving up just one run on five hits. He also struck out four while walking one. The lone Angels run came in the top of the first inning as the second batter of the game, Howie Kendrick hit a home run to center field. Throughout the evening Francis was able to keep the ball down and routinely change pitch speed. The pitching helped allow the Royals to turn three double plays on the evening.

Dan Haren was equally impressive for the Angels, also going seven strong innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out six and walked none. Kansas City got on the board against Haren in the bottom of the fourth, after Ka`aihue and Billy Butler both singled, Jeff Francoeur grounded out allowing Butler to score and knot the game at 1. Francoeur also flirted with a home run, flying out deep to left field in the sixth on a solid at the wall catch by Vernon Wells.

Robinson Tejeda held the Angels at bay in the eighth, before Joakim Soria entered to pitch the ninth for Kansas City and pitched a quick inning getting a ground out and then two pop outs.

After Jordan Walden pitched the eighth for Los Angeles, he then gave way to Kohn and we know how the story shaped up from there.

Overall you have to be impressed with the pitching on both sides, and I was also pleased with the Royals defense up the the middle. The Royals did commit two more errors this evening, but they were by Mike Aviles and Brayan Pena. The Royals now have five errors in just two games, two by Aviles.

Erick Aybar was 2-for-4 to lead Los Angeles, along with Kendrick’s solo home run. Alex Gordon improved to 2-for-4 after going 0-for-5 yesterday, while Ka`aihue also went 2-for-4 and easily provided the biggest contribution for Kansas City. Soria picked up the win, while Kohn took the loss. The game boxscore from this evening can be seen here.

The Royals improved to 1-1 on the young season, while Los Angeles fell to 1-1. Game time tomorrow is 12:10 with Kyle Davies facing Ervin Santana. After the game tomorrow is the highly publicized Futures Game, which will pit the AAA affiliate Omaha Storm Chasers against the AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The game will feature many of the young prospects in the Royals’ prized farm system. 

By Matt Hays

Read More: Billy Butler (1B – KAN), Brett Carroll (LF – KAN), Jeff Francis (P – KAN), Zack Greinke (P – MIL), Melky Cabrera (LF – KAN), Brayan Pena (C – KAN), Jason Bulger (P – ANA), Gregor Blanco (CF – KAN), Alcides Escobar (SS – KAN), Mike Aviles (2B – KAN), Hank Conger (C – ANA), Peter Bourjos (CF – ANA), Clay Fuller (OF – ANA), Chris Pettit (RF – ANA), Lorenzo Cain (CF – KAN), Angel Castillo (LF – ANA), Tim Collins (P – KAN), Tyler Chatwood (P – ANA), Robert Fish (P – KAN), Nathan Adcock (P – KAN), Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels

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Mar 22, 2011 -  

Five Errors.

That is the storyline from this evening as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Kansas City Royals tonight in Surprise. After having a solid spring up to this point, the Royals have now lost their last three games. After a rainout yesterday, the Royals were ready to get back at it this evening with Jeff Francis getting the start. However with all the mental mistakes it proved costly as they went down 14-6.

Los Angeles scored twice in the top of the first on a two out Chris Pettit double, leading to an early 2-0 lead. However Kansas City answered in the bottom half when a Melky Cabrera sacrifice fly scored Mike Aviles.

The Royals then took the lead in the bottom of the second on a two run home run to center by shortstop Alcides Escobar. Escobar’s third home run of the spring came off Angels starter Tyler Chatwood. Chatwood was solid in his start, going five innings and giving up three runs on four hits, including four strikeouts.

Peter Bourjos then tied the game in the third on a solo homerun off Francis. Francis gave up six runs through five on six hits, with seven strikeouts. However only three of the runs were earned runs, showing the benefits the Angels received from the Royals errors in the field.

Los Angeles also scored two in the fourth and one in the fifth, which came on the benefit of an error by right-fielder Lorenzo Cain. Cain who had two errors on the evening, likely hurt any chance he had of making the Opening Day roster as the Royals have many outfielders on the current roster. Look for Cain, who came over in the Zack Greinke deal, to start the season in Omaha.

Francis was replaced by reliever Tim Collins who pitched the sixth and gave up one hit, but no runs. Collins also had a strikeout of Angel Castillo.

In the seventh the Angels added to the lead, again the benefit of a Cain error. Hank Conger had a two run RBI double off Kanekoa Texiera in part of a three run inning to make it 9-3 in the seventh. However none of the runs were earned. The Angels scored six unearned runs off the Royals on the evening, which made it difficult for the Royals to ever have a chance.

Kansas City loaded the bases off Jason Bulger in the bottom of the seventh, but Mike Aviles struck out to end the inning and any Kansas City threat to draw closer.

Things got worse in the eighth off Robert Fish. The former Angels farmhand allowed Los Angeles to load the bases before he gave up a grand slam to centerfielder Clay Fuller, his first home run this spring.

Billy Butler hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, his third in Arizona to go with 14 RBI. The first basemen is now batting .352. Melky Cabrera also had two hits and an RBI in the loss, and is now batting an even .500.

In addition to Butler’s home run, the Royals scored two additional runs in the eighth on ground outs by both Brayan Pena and Gregor Blanco.

The Angels added one in the ninth to bring the final margin on a Conger home run.

The Royals fell to 14-9-1, while the Angels improved to 12-12-1. Francis took the loss, while Chatwood picked up the victory. As Denny Matthews said on the radio this evening as he signed off, “The best thing about tonight is…it doesn’t count”.

Kansas City will be playing the Cleveland Indians tomorrow afternoon in Goodyear with Nathan Adcock starting for the Royals.

One final note for the evening, as Kansas City traded reserve outfielder Brett Carroll to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. Carroll was a non-roster invitee to Royals spring training after having previously been a member of the Florida Marlins organization. He was 0-15 at the plate with the Royals in spring training.

By Matt Hays

Read More: Joakim Soria (P – KAN), Henry Barrera (P – KAN), Robert Fish (P – NYY), San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels

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Mar 13, 2011 - Per MLBTradeRumors the Kansas City Royals have claimed left-handed relief pitcher Robert Fish off waivers from the New York Yankees. The 23 year-old Fish was selected by the Yankees from the Los Angeles Angels this winter in the Rule V draft. As you may recall, Royals closer Joakim Soria was a former Rule V pick from the San Diego Padres in 2006.

Originally a 6th round pick in the 2006 MLB draft out Montclair, California, Fish is a big 6’3″ 225 lb reliever that will remind Royals fans somewhat of Sean O’Sullivan with his build. Fish was 5-5 last season with a 6.79 ERA in A and AA last season for the Halos. Fish featured a 11.9 strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 1.75 WHIP. Though the numbers don’t look good, he was much better in A ball than he was in AA.

To make room for Fish on the 40-man roster, the Royals have moved Henry Barrera to the 60-day Disabled List. The Rule V regulations will apply to the Royals in that if he doesn’t make the Royals Opening Day roster he must be offered back to Los Angeles for $25,000 or a trade must be agreed upon to allow Fish to join one of the Royals minor league affiliates.

You can view a video of Fish pitching here.