The Kansas City Royals signed infielder Denny Hocking to a minor-league contract Tuesday and invited him to spring training as a non-roster player. The 34-year old Hocking played 11 years for Minnesota. Last season, he hit .202 in 55 games for the Colorado Rockies. Hocking is a career .250 hitter……..Royals lefty Jeremy Affeldt filed for salary arbitration on Tuesday, but says he will continue to negotiate a contract for 2005. Affeldt is asking for $1.2 million. The Royals have offered $950,000. Affeldt was 3-4 last year with a 4.95 ERA. He led team with 13 saves despite missing nearly two months because of a torn right oblique muscle.