Royals re-sign Grimsley, lose Tucker to Giants

Mayne can't reach agreement with K.C.

? Jason Grimsley, Kansas City’s bullpen workhorse the last three years, will be back next season, but outfielder Michael Tucker is gone again, signing with the San Francisco Giants in a deal that brings Kansas City a high draft choice.

The Royals could not reach agreement with catcher Brent Mayne, whom they had hoped to retain at a lower salary.

Talks with Grimsley, 36, had also seemed at an impasse earlier in the weekend, but the two sides reached an agreement just before Sunday’s 11 p.m. deadline for free agents not offered arbitration.

Grimsley, who made $2 million last season, agreed to the team’s earlier offer of $1 million with up to $500,000 in incentives after the Royals added a no-trade clause and one that boosts his salary if he is traded.

Grimsley appeared in at least 70 games each of the last three years, including 76 last season, when he was 2-6 with a 5.16 ERA. Earlier the team reached agreement with another veteran reliever, Curtis Leskanic.

“I was really pleased to get Grims signed,” general manager Allard Baird said. “That gives us two veterans in the bullpen. And I was pleasantly surprised about the draft pick.”

The Royals are in line to receive the Giants’ first-round pick next June in compensation for Tucker, who was not going to be offered arbitration and who had no other major-league offers. Had the Giants waited until after the deadline to sign Tucker, they would not have had to compensate the Royals.

At this point, the Royals are due to get San Francisco’s first-round draft pick, the 29th player chosen, but that could drop to a lower round if the Giants sign another player who requires compensation.

Tucker, 32, made $2.75 million last season, hitting .262 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs. After breaking a leg when he fouled off a pitch Aug. 4, he was sidelined until the final week of the season.

He played all three outfield positions for Kansas City last season and said he could play right field most of the time for San Francisco. The Giants declined their $4 million option on Jose Cruz Jr., who played right for them last season.

“We’ve admired Michael from afar during his career,” Giants’ general manager Brian Sabean said. “He’s a versatile veteran outfielder who is proficient in playing all three outfield positions, while also being productive with the bat.”

Tucker, Kansas City’s top draft choice in 1992, made it to the majors in 1995. The Royals traded him to Atlanta in 1997, and he also played for Cincinnati and the Chicago Cubs before being traded back to Kansas City two years ago.

The Royals saw only a backup role next season for Mayne, who was asked to take a cut from $2.75 million to about $1 million. He said he was willing to be a backup only if he was playing closer to his home in California.

Since he was not offered arbitration, the Royals can’t resume negotiations with Mayne until May 1, and they will not have to compensate any other club that might sign him.

The Royals, operating with a $45 million payroll, now have eight players under contract next season for a combined $21.758 million. They are budgeting another $10 million to $12 million for potential arbitration cases with center fielder Carlos Beltran and pitcher Darrell May.