Farnsworth adds power to K.C. bullpen

[February 09, 2009]  SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Kyle Farnsworth is known to Kansas City Royals fans for body-slamming Jeremy Affeldt in a 2005 dugout-clearing fracas in Detroit.

Royals starter Runnelvys Hernandez hit Carlos Guillen of the Tigers with a pitch in a game in July 2005 to ignite the brawl. Just when order was nearly restored, then-Tiger Farnsworth picked up Affeldt and sent him to the turf to extend the melee.

"I've never hated him from Day One," Farnsworth said of Affeldt. "That was in the heat of battle, but I have no hard feelings toward him. When it was over, it was over and that was it."

The Royals hope he brings that passion to the mound after signing him during the offseason to a two-year contract for $9.25 million. He's likely to be used as a setup man for All-Star closer Joakim Soria.

After trading right-handed relievers Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez for first baseman Mike Jacobs and outfielder Coco Crisp after last season, the Royals needed to refurbish the bullpen. Farnsworth was a combined 2-3 with a 4.48 ERA in 61 relief appearances last season with the New York Yankees and Detroit.

"We knew in trading Leo and Ramon, we needed to replace some things in the bullpen, have more right-handed options," said Royals manager Trey Hillman during the second day of a volunteer spring training minicamp.

Farnsworth allowed 15 home runs in 60 innings in 2008 and has given up 32 homers in 186 innings the past three seasons. A spacious Kauffman Stadium should benefit Farnsworth, Hillman said.

"Farnsworth is a fly ball pitcher. We've got a bigger ball park that is conducive for fly ball pitchers," he said.

Farnsworth said he had offers from a couple of other teams, but choose the Royals.

"The way this team was shaping up after the way they played last year, they're turning it around," Farnsworth said. "That's our thinking. We're going to be a good team."

Farnsworth, who turns 33 in April and was born in Wichita, has a fastball that reaches the upper 90s. He is a strikeout pitcher, with 738 in 735 innings in the majors.

Over a 10-year career, he's 30-48 in 612 appearances, all but 26 as a reliever. He has also pitched in 13 postseason games with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Yankees. The Royals have not been in the playoffs since winning the 1985 World Series.

"We wanted to add a power arm in the bullpen," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "Kyle Farnsworth, in our mind, was the best power arm on the market."

[Associated Press]

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