Yuniesky Betancourt News

Its a fairly slow Wednesday at the winter meetings. The Royals show little measurable progress in their efforts to find a catcher, a center fielder or left-handed help for their rotation or bullpen.

If you're thinking there might be a wealth of changes in the Royals' lineup next season, you might want to check with manager Trey Hillman.

A desire to keep some payroll cash in reserve entering next season means the Royals are operating with an even tighter offseason budget this week at the winter meetings.

Tearing off his shirt and challenging Double-A Binghamton players to a fight earns former Mets exec Tony Bernazard our Top Turkey award.

Bet most of you forgot about this guy, huh? In all of the off-season discussion I've heard about what the Mariners have to do, the name Erik Bedard seldom comes up.

It's baseball awards time, which means it's also time for my own 2009 awards, starting with the Least Valuable Player Following those are the Anti Cy Young Award and the not-so-great Manager of the Year Award .

Yuniesky Betancourt #3 of the Kansas City Royals tags out Freddy Guzman #47 of the New York Yankees at second base during the game on September 30, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.

THT Awards season finale, part one by John Barten October 13, 2009 Welcome to the column that was almost delayed by a week because of a mix-up by AT&T that took out my home phone and internet for the weekend.

The 2009 Kansas City Royals season ended in a most appropriate way Sunday afternoon, with Luke Hochevar puking up seven runs in three innings to help the boys in blue get absolutely pounded, 13-4. Final record is 65-97, just short of yet another 100-loss season.

There was such a sweet end to 2008 and such a sweet beginning to 2009. Who could have thought everything could turn so sour so quickly? But it certainly did.

Outfielder David DeJesus rejoined the Royals prior to the series opener against the Twins after missing six straight games while battling a severe case of the flu.

The focus on next year shifts to full-time mode today when the Royals open a series of organizational meetings at their year-round complex in Surprise, Ariz.

Third baseman Alex Gordon offered just the barest hint of satisfaction Saturday afternoon following his two-run homer against Jose Mijaresin a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

The Royals' Yuniesky Betancourt threw to first and completed a double play over Johnny Damon.

Say whatever you want about the 2009 Mariners, but you'd be hard-pressed trying to argue they do not deserve their winning season.

Joba Chamberlain lasted just 3 2-3 innings in his final tuneup for the postseason and was booed by fans at Yankee Stadium when he walked off Wednesday night during the Kansas City Royals' 4-3 win over New York.

's late return to the Twins ' starting rotation Sunday afternoon ended worse than any start during a forgettable season for the one-time franchise player.

Zack Greinke fired seven strong innings to lead the Royals to a 4-1 win over the Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

Left fielder David DeJesus remained out of the Royals' lineup and manager Trey Hillman did some shuffling, moving Mitch Maier into DeJesus' leadoff spot against the Yankees on Monday night.

Luke Hochevar may be terrific in his start at Yankee Stadium tonight. Wouldn't be the first time.