News: The Royals and catcher Miguel Olivo exercised a mutual $2.7 million option. He batted .255 with 12 homers, 22 doubles and 41 RBI in 84 games this year.

Analysis: Olivo will likely still split some at-bats with John Buck, which keeps him from being a true Fantasy option in mixed leagues. Olivo is a nice sleeper in deeper formats, though, especially if you want a little bit of pop out of the position in 2009

Olivo not only agreed to return to the Royals next season, but apparently he'll move up to become the No. 1 catcher as well. "He's going to get the majority of the catching time," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "We feel like we're in a good situation with him and John Buck both, and we felt like they worked very well together." Last season, Buck started the majority of games behind the plate, 106, to Olivo's 56. However, Olivo was given a fresh look in September and obviously impressed Hillman.

The Kansas City Star reports that Miguel Olivo was promised a starting job before agreeing to stay in Kansas City earlier on Monday.Olivo hit .255 in 306 at-bats last season. He had 22 doubles, 12 home runs and 41 RBI. Although he slugged .444 he had 82 strikeouts to just seven walks. He did manage seven steals on the season.

Buck got the most playing time through most of the season, but Miguel Olivo (.255 BA, 12 HR, 41 RBIs) was used more in the last month in an apparent move to get him to return under his mutual option. With both in-house, one could be used as trade bait in a catcher-deprived market.

Heading into the season finale, manager Trey Hillman is uncertain who will be the Royals' starting catcher in 2009 between Miguel Olivo and John Buck, according to the KC Star. Hillman said, "It’s just something we’re going to have to continue to massage through in the off-season, after we have a little time to decompress and evaluate some things. Miggy has done a great job of continuing to improve his game management. Buck’s throwing has gotten better. His release times have improved, So I actually see improvement from both of them in the areas that they needed to improve."Olivo has said he’s only interested in returning to Kansas City if he’s the No. 1 guy behind the plate. The team and Olivo have a mutual option on a $2.7 million option, but the Royals could also choose to decline the option and offer arbitration. Buck will be eligible for arbitration after making $2.2 million this season.

News: Royals catcher John Buck went 2-for-4 with a double on Saturday in a win over the Twins.

Analysis: Buck has been a useful Fantasy backstop in the past because he has decent power, but he doesn't have enough home runs this season to counteract his .226 batting average

Brayan Pena had his option picked up by the Kansas City Royals on Monday, according to MLB.com. He was added to the team's 40-man roster.The 26-year old Pena was claimed off waivers by the Royals from the Atlanta Braves organization on May 30. He hit .303 (71-for-234) with 17 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 31 RBI in 60 games for Omaha. The switch-hitting catcher is a career .228 (29-for-127) hitter in 71 Major League games with the Braves from 2005-2008.

Bob Dutton, of The Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Royals added C Brayan Pena to their 40-man roster Monday, Nov. 3.

Dick Kaegel, of MLB.com, reports Kansas City Royals C Brayan Pena will play in the Dominican Republic Winter League during the offseason.

Bob Dutton, of The Kansas City Star, reports the Kansas City Royals trade to acquire 1B Mike Jacobs may be the only major offseason move for the team, according to general manager Dayton Moore. "As much as we've tried to improve our offense over the last couple of years, I think we've done the best we can do at this point in time," Moore said. "I don't know what else we're going to be able to do this winter."

This adds much-needed punch to a Royals lineup that ranked among the game's lowest-scoring offenses this past season. Jacobs, who set career highs with 32 homers and 93 RBIs in 2008, is almost certain to bat in the heart of Kansas City's lineup, but RBI opportunities might be more harder to come by without the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. Nunez gives the Marlins another reliable setup option for closer Matt Lindstrom. Look for Jorge Cantu to shift across the diamond to replace Jacobs at first, opening the door for Minor League masher Dallas McPherson at third.

Updating previous items, The Associated Press reports Kansas City Royals 1B Mike Jacobs will be a regular in the lineup, either at first base or as the designated hitter, while likely hitting fourth, fifth or sixth, according to Royals general manager Dayton Moore. "Has a lot of power to the middle of the field,” said Moore about Jacobs. “Has a lot of energy, plays with enthusiasm, plays to win and he's a personality. He gives us a middle of the lineup presence."

Royals.MLB.com's Dick Kaegel reports Kansas City Royals 1B Ryan Shealy (hamstring) said his tight left hamstring feels much better.

Shealy returned from Triple-A Omaha in September and put on a power show to re-enter the picture. Will it be enough to fend off prospect Kila Ka'aihue (.314 AVG, 37 HRs, 100 RBIs across Double-A and Triple-A) and keep Kansas City from bringing in outside help? Ross Gload got the most starts last year, but lack of power could make him the odd man out.

Shealy returned in September and put on a power show to re-enter the picture. Will it be enough to fend off prospect Kila Ka'aihue (.314 AVG, 37 HRs, 100 RBIs across Double-A and Triple-A) and keep Kansas City from bringing in outside help? Ross Gload got the most starts last year, but lack of power could make him the odd man out.

It was a disappointing sophomore campaign for Butler, who spent a large portion of 2008 down at Triple-A Omaha. Don't dismiss him because of one lousy season, however, as the 22-year-old is capable of busting out at any point. His value only goes up from here.

Billy Butler went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Friday's 8-1 win over Minnesota. He hit two singles and a two-run homer.He snapped a four-game skid without a hit, and ended a 12-game drought without a home run.

Jon Krawczynski, of The Associated Press, reports Kansas City Royals DH Billy Butler recorded three hits, including a home run, Friday, Sept. 26.

News: Kansas City 1B Kila Ka'aihue helped the Royals defeat the White Sox on Saturday with his first major league home run. The crowd of 23,754 kept cheering through the next at-bat until Ka'aihue acknowledged the curtain call.

Analysis: Ka'aihue has had a monster breakthrough in the minors leagues and could get a good long look as an everyday player down the stretch with the rebuilding Royals. His long-term potential makes him an intriguing flier in AL-only and long-term keeper leagues. He might even enjoy a big enough of a splash to be mixed league worthy over the season's final week

Making just his third start since being called up on Sept. 2, Kila Ka'aihue hit his first major league homer off Gavin Floyd on Friday. The Royals haven't give Ka'aihue much of a chance, but he's 5-for-15 with just one strikeout and two walks in his limited opportunities. It'd be nice to see him play more during the final week.

Manager Trey Hillman said Wednesday that Kila Ka'aihue isn't playing much because he's trying to "pick the right spots" for him. Unbelievable. Hillman said last week that Ka'aihue and Ryan Shealy would split time at first base for the remainder of the season, but since then Ka'aihue has started once. Hillman gave Ross Gload the start there Wednesday, because apparently the last-place Royals need to keep giving playing time to a 32-year-old with a .270/.312/.343 line this season rather than give their top MLB-ready prospect a chance after he hit .314 with 37 homers between Double-A and Triple-A.Source: Kansas City Star

Dick Kaegel, of MLB.com, reports Kansas City Royals IF Alberto Callaspo is hitting .318 (27-for-85) with just four strikeouts in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Royals GM Dayton Moore said he is hoping to add a veteran middle infielder, a run-producing outfielder and help for both the bullpen and rotation, all while maintaining a payroll of about $60 million. It certainly won't be any easier after he traded Leo Nunez for Mike Jacobs. It was obvious that an outfielder was a priority. However, Moore apparently isn't content with the idea of using Alberto Callaspo at second base. It's possible, though pretty unlikely, that he could add a shortstop and move Mike Aviles to second.Source: Kansas City Star Related: Mike Aviles

Bob Dutton, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Royals IF Alberto Callaspo has been playing shortstop in the Venezuelan Winter League. He is 5-for-15 in his first four games.

Dick Kaegel, of MLB.com, reports Kansas City Royals 2B Esteban German is playing second base in the Dominican Republic Winter League and is hitting .382 (29-for-76).

Esteban German went 4-for-5 with a double in Sunday's DWL action. The Royals have middle infielders playing in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela (Alberto Callaspo) and Puerto Rico (Mike Aviles). German is batting .377/.492/.585 with five steals in 53 at-bats. We wouldn't be surprised to see him dealt this winter, but it's possible the Royals will maintain the status quo and let him battle Callaspo for a starting job in spring training.

News: Royals 2B Esteban German had two hits, including his 12th double, and one RBI in four at-bats Wednesday against the Rangers. German, who also scored once, had his first multi-hit game since Aug. 19.

Analysis: German has seen a lot of at-bats in August since Mark Grudzielanek has exited the lineuo, but he still isn't not a big-time Fantasy producer and remains nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy option

News: The Kansas City Royals designated RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta for assignment Saturday and placed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle. The Royals also recalled infielder Jason Smith from Triple-A Omaha.

Analysis: Smith, 31, hit .253 in 110 games for Omaha with team highs with 20 home runs and 62 RBI. He'll be a very low-end option to be picked up only in AL-only formats

Royals purchased the contract of infielder Jason Smith from Triple-A Omaha. The 31-year-old is a career .222/.261/.382 hitter in 523 at-bats. The Royals will use him as a utilityman while Mark Grudzielanek is out.

The Royals sent SS Jason Smith outright to Triple-A Omaha.

Dick Kaegel, of MLB.com, reports Kansas City Royals 3B Alex Gordon could be dealt in the offseason, given OF Mark Teahen's ability to play third base.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the Kansas City Royals are trying to save money so they can offer extensions to SP Zack Greinke and 3B Alex Gordon.

Royals named John Gibbons bench coach and Kevin Seitzer hitting coach. Gibbons, who spent 4 1/2 years as Toronto's manager before being fired over the summer, replaces Dave Owen, who is now the third-base coach. Seitzer, a former third baseman for the Royals, returns to the organization after spending part of 2007 as Arizona's hitting coach. He received poor reviews for his performance with the Diamondbacks, so it is surprising that he's getting another chance already.Source: Kansas City Star

News: The Kansas City Royals designated RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta for assignment Saturday and placed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle. The Royals also recalled infielder Jason Smith from Triple-A Omaha.

Analysis: Smith, 31, hit .253 in 110 games for Omaha with team highs with 20 home runs and 62 RBI. He'll be a very low-end option to be picked up only in AL-only formats

Royals purchased the contract of infielder Jason Smith from Triple-A Omaha. The 31-year-old is a career .222/.261/.382 hitter in 523 at-bats. The Royals will use him as a utilityman while Mark Grudzielanek is out.

The Royals sent SS Jason Smith outright to Triple-A Omaha.