ROYALS REEL IN REDMAN
The Kansas City Royals acquired pitcher Mark Redman from the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitchers Jonah Bayliss and Chad Blackwell.
What does it give the Kansas City Royals
Last year the only veteran the Royals had in their rotation was Jose Lima, and he was simply brutal. Now Redman gives them a more consistent veteran presence in the rotation, and a big lefty at that. He had his struggles in Pittsburgh in 2005, but he's reached double figures in wins three times in his five full seasons in the majors and he should be good to eat up 190 innings or so.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Pirates
Bayliss is a 25-year-old righty with good size who began his pro career as a starter. After three mediocre-to-bad seasons in the low minors, the Royals decided to send him to the Double-A bullpen in 2005 and he finally found his way. He also tossed a few decent innings for the Royals last year, so he could be ready for a big-league setup role this spring, set to replace the long line of quality relievers leaving the Pirates as free agents.
Fantasy impact
Player focus
Pittsburgh Pirates
Chad Blackwell P
player to be named later - Chad Blackwell(2005-12-08)