Bo Vandy's General Manager Career-(MLB FOM)

[Lelo34]

November 1st, 2008

KANSAS CITY, MO - - It was announced today that the Kansas City Royals have fired general manager Dayton Moore, and brought in relative unknown and former attorney, Bo Vandy

Vandy was said to have been hired after a fallout between Moore and the Glass family over the direction of the franchise.

"I want to thank the Glass family for the opportunity to live out my life long dream. I know I won't let them down."

While Vandy would not let the media in on his plans for the franchise, he did announce that he had started a blog on the team's website, in an unprecedented attempt to keep the fans up to date on the comings and goings on team.

[Lelo34]

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog, just a short introduction. My name is Bo Vandy, and I am the new General Manager of the Kansas City Royals.

While I don't have a ton of baseball experience in my past, I think you'll enjoy my stint here as I intend to make sure the Royals go back to the World Series sooner rather than later.

Anyway, I know many of you are more interested in the players than the front office, so let's get right down to it. My first course of action was deciding who would make up the 2009 version of our team. The first step in that process is extending, or inviting back those Royals who I think will make this team I winner.

Key Returnees
I signed Zack Greinke to a 2 year extension at $4.8M/yr with a team option 2011 worth $6.5M. While that's a signifigant increase in his 3rd year, I think by that time in his career, it's going to be a steal.

I also extended Brian Bannister for 2 years at $800K/year and brought back Alex Gordon who is still playing for the league minimum.

I resigned Catcher Miguel Olivo to a 2 year deal worth $2.0M a year, with a team option for $5.0M after 2011, this avoided arbitration.





Offered Arbitration:
Joey Gathright(OF)
John Bale(RP)
Esteban German(INF)
Mike Jacobs(1B)
Mark Teahen(OF)


Saying Goodbye:
John Buck (C)
Jimmy Gobble (RP)
Mark Grudzielanek(2B)

It's hard to say goodbye to such great Royals, but I just couldn't risk going into arbitration and overpaying because of it. I wish them the best of luck

[Lelo34]

November 15, 2008

Well, the free agent season is upon us. There are several great free agents out there, Manny Ramirez, Francisco Rodriguez, John Lackey, Vladimir Guererro, Bobby Abreu, Jeff Kent.... just to name a few. Obviously, you all know the Royals history of going after big name free agents is non existant, but rest assured, if I see a player I think can help this team, and we can afford him, I'll go after him.

I know I wouldn't mind upgrading 2nd base, and the corner outfield spots, but that would take freeing up some money

[Lelo34]

Just signed a young man I am very excited about, a starting pitcher by the name of Joe Cross. He's only 21 years old, and already has a cannon of an arm, and we got him for just $600K

We'll start him out in AA Northwest Arkansas, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in KC by September

[Lelo34]

First big signing of the season in Major League Baseball. Manny Ramirez has signed a 3 year deal worth $72M. I guess the Rays are serious about going back to the World Series

Manny is a headache for any team he plays for, and I know that he was looking for a 5 or 6 year deal, do he might be unhappy that no one gave him that contract.

Good luck to Joe Madden and crew keeping him happy

[Lelo34]

Couple of a new additions I'd like to welcome to the Royals family, the first was a Rule V pickup I think can really help our bench strength, and that's 2B Jason Bouraisse.

The second is a much higher caliber type pickup, and our first big free agent splash, thanks to the Brewers declining to offer him arbitration, JJ Hardy will now make Kansas City his home.
We signed the power hitter to a 2 year deal at a pretty economical $7M per year, with a club option for a 3rd year at $10M. We also gave him a no-trade clause to show just how much we wanted him here

[Lelo34]

February 1st, 2009

This season we went to arbitration with a whopping seven players.
It was my first time in front of a MLB arbitrator, but my background as a lawyer made this an easier process.

Team Won
Mike Jacobs: $2.5 million (Wanted $3.2 million)
Esteban German: $800K (Wanted $1.1 Million)
Joel Peralta: $400K (Wanted $500K)
Joey Gathright: $400K (Wanted $600K)
John Bale: $1.6M(Wanted $2.8M)
Luke Hudson: $400K (Wanted $500K)

Player Won
Mark Teahen: $4.2M (Offered $3.5M)

Six out of seven isn't bad. And of course, on my end there is no hard feelings, everything worked out in the end.

[bhurst99]

Good luck with this. I'll be following.

[doncoryell]

Good luck with KC.

I think that it would be great if each of us took a different team and see how each of us do.

[a2ndrgmaster]

i have to restart my dynasty once the patch is coming out, too many bugs driving me crazzzzzzzzy once teh season starts.