Royals Won’t Offer Randa or Ibanez Arbitration

If third baseman Joe Randa and outfielder Raul Ibanez are back with the Royals in 2004, they’ll have contracts soon. General manager Allard Baird has told the Kansas City Star that the two players will not be offered arbitration by the team. He says the team wants to sign them quickly, if not the players will find work elsewhere. Free agents have until January 11 until they can negotiate with any team of their choosing. Randa made $4.5 million, hitting .291 with 16 homers and 72 RBI’s. Ibanez made $3-million hitting .294 with 18 homers and 90 RBI’s.