Welcome Back Tony!

As many have pointed out, the Royals have essentially traded Tony Graffanino for himself and cash by claiming him off waivers today and simultaneously releasing Chip Ambres. That's not literally true, because the Royals also got Juan Cedeno in the deal, who may become something one day, but for now that's what it boils down to. Odd. Really odd.

That said, I'm happy with the move. I like Graffanino, and he's a major upgrade as a utility player over The Scrappy Joe McEwing. The Royals acquiring upgraded talent should never be criticized unless the cost is just a back breaker, but Graffanino's $2 million doesn't qualify.

In addition, releasing Ambres now leaves Aaron Guiel as the only viable option as a fourth outfielder, and that's a good thing. When his eyes are working, Guiel is the better player, both offensively and defensively. Plus he's a lefty, which is now needed because Graffanino and Esteban German both are righties, as are six of the nine regulars in the lineup. A good lefty off the bench is critical, and Paul Bako dosen't qualify. (Sorry Gabor). Matt Stairs qualifies, but who knows how long his beer league softball body will hold up. Besides, why settle for one blond, thirtysomething, lefty Canuck outfielder on the bench when you can have two?

Other Royals Notes:

• As much as I like the Graffanino claim, I'm just as puzzled by the pickup of Steve Andrade. He's a career minor leaguer who is already 28, well past the point of being called a prospect, and he's only thrown a handful of innings above Double A. This is his fourth team in the last year, which could mean that a lot of teams see something there, or could mean that he's not good enough to stick with three previous clubs (including the Devil Rays - uh-oh). While he's been pretty good in his minor league stints (11-7, 2.15 ERA, a whopping 13.20 K/9IP, 4.41 K/BB), he's also a Rule V guy who can't be dropped from the major-league roster all year. And he's a righty in a bullpen that currently projects to have either no lefties or just the known mediocrity that is Jimmy Gobble. Is he better than Steve Stemle as a seventh arm in an already-crowded pen? Sure. But can he pitch at this level? Beats me, and probably beats Allard Baird too.