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Royals search for a situational left-hander for ‘pen

Not much cooking for the Royals as Tuesday’s second day of the Winter Meetings wound down.

“It’s been slow, it really has,” general manager Dayton Moore said.

A search for a situational left-handed reliever isn’t likely to be resolved through a free-agent signing.

“I think it’s going to have to come through a trade or within, from the guys we currently have on the roster, whether it be Tim Collins or Everett Teaford or Ryan Verdugo or Aaron Laffey. Those are guys who are going to get long looks in Spring Training,” Moore said. “Every single one of those pitchers has options so if we acquire somebody who gives us more depth or is more of lock at the Major League level it’s something we would look at. But, as I’ve said, it’s not an easy ‘get.’ “

The Royals haven’t been shy in contacting other clubs about possibilities for deals. “We’ve talked to basically all of them – either myself or one of our people have touched base with everybody,” Moore said.

–Dick Kaegel.

Report: Royals to meet with Oswalt’s agent

In the market for starting pitchers, the Royals are taking a look at free-agent Roy Oswalt and are expected to meet with his agent during the General Managers Meetings going on in Milwaukee, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.

Oswalt was 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA for the Phillies last season but was limited to 23 starts by back problems. Despite that, the 34-year-old right-hander’s agent, Bob Garber, is looking for a long-term deal.

That probably wouldn’t be a logical move for the Royals who are trying to avoid long-term commitments to veterans who might not fit in the optimistic future of a very young club. But general manager Dayton Moore has made it clear that he’s willing to explore all possibilities.

The Yankees, Nationals and Diamondbacks reportedly have interest in Oswalt. Garber also represents free agent starter C.J. Wilson but he seems  far out of the Royals’ price range.

–Dick Kaegel.

After Aviles swap, nothing more appears in KC sights

With the trade of infielder Mike Aviles to the Red Sox, the Royals have moved both of the third baseman that started the season as alternating regulars. Earlier, Wilson Betemet was dealt to the Tigers.

With less than 24 hours to go to the Trade Deadline, general manager Dayton Moore said he had no other deals pending. As he duly noted, something could pop up but apparently nothing more was in the Royals’ sights as the countdown headed for the final hours.

–Dick Kaegel

Royals would demand major return for Soria

Now that the Royals have cracked the Trade Deadline  by dealing third baseman Wilson Betemit, can something else be in the works? Like a deal for closer Joakim Soria?

Not very likely, according to what general manager Dayton Moore told the Kansas City Star as he tempered a suggestion he made on MLB Network Radio that the asking price for Soria would be two impact starting pitchers, one ready now and one by 2013. Moore told the newspaper he was only suggesting any trade for Soria would command “a heavy price.” Certainly the Royals’ prime need is starting pitchers but that doesn’t make them any different from most clubs.

Just a couple of days ago, Moore told MLB.com he was rather happy with the makeup of his current club including such younger veteran outfielders as Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera, who might attract interest. He didn’t seem like an overly eager “seller.”

The Betemit deal, though, made sense because with Mike Moustakas taking over third base, there was no spot for him.
–Dick Kaegel

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