With Chris Getz and Miguel Tejada on the disabled list, the Kansas City Royals needed a player who was able to step in and be a versatile infielder. They found their man in the 39-year old Jamey Carroll.
Expected to play second and third base for the Royals, Carroll caps off his time with the Twins by going 1-for-4 in this afternoon's win over the White Sox. In for four seasons prior to his arrival in Minnesota, Carroll hit .284 with a .362 on-base percentage, but in 197 games with the Twins his triple slash was a disappointing .257/.327/.301.
Carroll's contract carries a $2 million club option for 2014 that would turn to a player option with 401+ plate appearances, but the Royals are in no danger of reaching that plateau. It's likely that at season's end the Royals will pay the $250,000 buyout and Carroll will become a free agent.
In return, the Twins will receive a player to be named later or cash. Of more interest than the potential player or the money is what the organization will do with the open roster spots. The team will announce the roster move before Monday's game.
There will be a few options available for the Twins. With 13 pitchers already on the active roster it's likely the team will add another position player. Eduardo Escobar and Danny Santana are the only infielders on the 40-man roster who aren't with the big league club, and while there are only three outfielders listed for the Twins Chris Colabello is capable of playing the corners. With Ryan Doumit not eligible to return from the disabled list and Josmil Pinto not ready, there are three ways the team could go.
- Escobar or Aaron Hicks could be recalled. Both are active players who have been with the team already this season.
- Darin Mastroianni or Wilkin Ramirez could be activated from the disabled list. Ramirez was sent to Double-A for his rehab assignment on August 3, and Maestro has been with the Red Wings since Wednesday.
- The team could add another player to the 40-man roster and call him up.