The Kansas City Royals did more dealing on Thursday, after taking pitcher Fabio Castro with the first pick of the Rule 5 Draft. They traded Castro to the Rangers and in return, Texas gave Kansas City second baseman Esteban German. The Royals are in need of a second baseman and believe German will contend for the starting spot.
Last season with Class-AAA Oklahoma, German hit .313 and led the Pacific Coast League with 43 stolen bases. At the Dominican Winter League, he’s leading all hitters with a .350 average.
The Royals also selected pitcher Brandon Weeden of the Dodgers organization. He was 2-9 in Class-AAA in 2005.
The Royals lost minor league infielders Brandon Powell and Pete Maestrales, pitchers Stephen Bray, Seth Etherton and Victor Santos in the Rule 5 Draft Thursday.
Kansas City signed veteran pitcher Elmer Dessens to a two-year deal. He pitched in 28 games for the Dodgers last year and went 1-2 with a 3.56 ERA.