The Royals have waived 31-year old righty starter/reliever Kip Wells. Wells pitched in 25 games (2 starts) with the Royals and Rockies in 2008 and he was 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP. Wells has now pitched in 256 games (205 starts) in his major league career and he is 65-94 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Some team will take a chance on Wells over the winter but the Royals saw more than enough of him in 2008.

The Royals have claimed 24-year old righty pitcher Jairo Cuevas from the Braves. Cuevas pitched in 7 games (6 starts) in Rookie Ball and AA-ball and he was 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP. Cuevas has a live arm so he is worth taking a chance on but don’t expect much from him in 2009.

UPDATE: The Royals tried to sneak Jairo Cuevas through waivers but the Braves claimed him back.

UPDATE: The Royals have re-claimed Jairo Cuevas off waivers from the Braves.

The Royals have acquired 29-year old lefty swinging 1B Mike Jacobs from the Marlins for 25-year old righty reliever Leo Nunez. Jacobs played in 141 games last season for the Marlins and he was 118 for 477 (.247 avg, .813 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 32 homers and 93 RBIs. This was a excellent trade for the Royals who needed some power in the lineup and Jacobs definately fits the bill and he swings left handed to boot. He he played in 421 games in 4 seasons in the majors and he is 385 for 1,472 (.262 avg, .816 OPS) with 197 runs scored, 80 homers and 247 RBIs. Leo Nunez pitched well out of the bullpen last season for the Royals but they have a lot of depth out there. He pitched in 45 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Still, with his career numbers the Royals didn’t mind moving him for a big need. Nunez has now pitched in 106 games (6 starts) in his major league career in which he is 9-7 with a 4.92 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. This was a excellent trade for the Royals to start off the winter.