Royal treatment: Appier near K.C. return

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Kansas City Royals were working out the final details Wednesday on a deal that would bring Kevin Appier back to his original team.

"Hopefully we'll be able to get it done today," Muzzy Jackson, Kansas City's assistant general manager, said before the AL Central-leading Royals played the Chicago White Sox. "I'm optimistic, but I don't want to definitely say at this point because it's just not done."

Appier was released by the Anaheim Angels last week, even though the right-hander was still owed more than $15.6 million. A source familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press the Royals will pay less than $100,000 for Appier this year.

Anaheim will also be responsible for his $12 million salary next year.

The 35-year-old Appier pitched for the Royals from 1989-99. The ninth overall pick in the 1987 amateur draft, he soon became a mainstay in Kansas City's rotation. He was 114-89 during his stint with the Royals.

"Obviously, he's a veteran, a guy with playoff experience," Jackson said. "A guy that's going to be able to stop a losing streak for you. He's going to be able to give you innings. He's a battle-tested warrior. He'll go out and take the ball for you and on that day, you know you've got a chance to win that game.

"The veteran presence and leadership that he's going to bring, and the experience, not only on the field, it's going to help the club off the field, as well."

The Royals began Wednesday with a two-game lead over the White Sox in the AL Central. But Chicago was on a surge, going 14-5 since the All-Star break to trim five games off Kansas City's division lead.

The Royals, meanwhile, have been plagued by injuries. Last weekend, Jose Lima went on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained groin. Lima is 7-0 since being signed from the independent Atlantic League.

But Jackson said the Royals probably would have pursued Appier even if Lima was healthy.

"He's a guy we like," Jackson said. "We like what he brought to the team for a long time. He's a former Royal and we want him."

Appier was 14-12 with a 3.92 ERA for Anaheim last season, winning a World Series ring. But he struggled to a 7-7 record with a 5.63 ERA in 19 starts this year while pitching with a sore elbow and a strained right forearm that put him on the disabled list.

In his last outing, Appier threw 43 pitches and didn't make it out of the first inning against the New York Yankees. He gave up four runs and five hits while getting only two outs.

The next day, July 30, the Angels placed him on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Appier is 168-134 lifetime with a 3.72 ERA. His best season was 1993, when he went 18-8 with an AL-leading 2.56 ERA and finished third in voting for the Cy Young Award.

 

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