The Kansas City Royals released first baseman/DH Mike Jacobs and left-handed pitcher John Bale. The moves were made prior to this morning’s Rule 5 Draft in Indianapolis, Ind., putting the Royals’ Major League roster at 38 prior to their selection.
Jacobs, was a big disappointment who was acquired last off season from Florida. Jacobs hit .228 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI in 2009 for the Royals. That was after he had one good season with Florida when he hit 32 home runs and drove in 93 runs in 2008. The Royals traded away Leo Nunez to the Marlins. Nunez was 4-6 with a 4.06 ERA, but had 26 saves. The Royals found him to be expendible when they thought they had a solid bullpen heading into last year, which turned out wasn’t the case.
One of those disappointments in the pen was 35 year old John Bale. The lefty was 0-1 with a 5.72 ERA. In three years with Kansas City, Bale was 1-5 with a 4.64 ERA in just 95 innings.
