The Royals have played 27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Gregor Blanco on waivers. Blanco played in 49 games for the Royals last year and he was 49 of 179 (.274 avg, .717 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 1 homer, 11 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He played in 17 games for the Royals this spring and he was 7 of 30 (.233 avg, .594 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 0 homers, 4 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. I would be shocked if Blanco clears waivers as I think the Royals have made a mistake here.

The Royals have acquired 35-year old righty swinging catcher Matt Treanor from the Rangers for cash considerations. Treanor played in 82 games for the Rangers last year and he was 50 for 237 (.211 avg, .595 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 5 homers, 27 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 360 games in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 221 of 973 (.227 avg, .621 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 13 homers, 97 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Treanor will serve as Brayan Pena’s backup until Jason Kendall is ready to return to action.

The Kansas City Royals have released veteran 3B Pedro Feliz. Feliz played in 15 games for the Royals this spring and he was 4 of 24 (.167 avg, .661 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. The Royals have a couple 3B (Mike Aviles & Wilson Betemit) that they like better than Feliz, so they won’t miss him too much…if at all.

The Royals have dealt 25-year old righty starting pitcher Alex Caldera to the Nationals for cash considerations. Caldera pitched in 21 games (19 starts) in A+AA-ball last year and he was 9-6 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Royals must either be short of funds and needed the money from the Nationals or they just didn’t think much of Caldera.

The Royals have acquired 24-year old lefty swinging 3B Johnny Whittleman from the Rangers for cash considerations. Whittleman played in 107 games in A+AA-ball last year and he was 80 for 372 (.215 avg, .704 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Whittleman has played in 666 games in his first six years in the minors and he is 574 of 2,376 (.242 avg, .743 OPS) with 344 runs scored, 56 homers, 324 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Whittleman gives the Royals another young guy with upside, so this was a good deal for them