The Indians signed Mark Grudzielanek to a minor league deal, reports MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. Grudzielanek, 39, hit .299/.345/.399 for the Royals in '08. That season ended early with an August ankle injury. The Royals surprisingly offered Grudzielanek arbitration after the season, and he declined, but they did not get a draft pick because he didn't sign until July. That minor league deal with the Twins was short-lived.
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Interesting. I was just wondering the other day what happened to his deal with the Twins. Always liked Grudz, hopefully he can land a job in Cleveland.
He was cranky when he left the MIN organization last summer. I think they thought he would be further along and closer to game-ready, and he was maybe expecting more time to get ready. Apparently he wasn’t going to be useful soon enough, or maybe he didn’t look like he had enough left (they may have been trying to be polite), but he was cut pretty quickly. If all he’s going to be is a greybeard glove guy mentor thing then MIN wouldn’t have needed him anyway. Maybe that’ll help in KC, or maybe he’ll hit more this year. Either way, MIN wasn’t a great fit in 09 but maybe this will be in, um, 010.
Grudz is a good guy and a good player. It’s a real shame he has bounced around the way he has. I really developed a good respect while he was here in St. Louis.
I remember when Grudzielanek was on the cover of SI in the ’80’s when he broke in with the Expos. He came to the park with I believe 8 gloves, because he never knew what position he would be playing. One of the first of the ‘Modern’ Super Utility Players, the ‘DeRosa of the ’80s and ’90s. Always a great guy that we never heard scandals about. And it is interesting that Cleveland signed him, isn’t it? More bang for the buck and can still play 7 positions. JR
according to baseball-reference, Grudz has only ever played 2B & SS at the big league level (minus 30 games at 3B in his rookie year). He also debuted in 1995, not the 80’s. I think you are mistaken about who you are talking about.
You’re thinking of F.P. Santangelo.
I’ve always liked Grudz. He’s a good player and a good guy. It’s a shame he’s bounced around as much as he has.
I still remember the days of the Grudz and Todd Walker platoon at 2b for the cubbies. I was upset when we let Grudz go to keep Walker. Grudz went on to sign with the cards and had a good season and we were stuck with Dusty Baker chewing his toothpick and Sammy Sosa blazing loud salsa music in the clubhouse driving every1 bonkers. lol
I like Grudzielanek. This deal gives the Indians some nice depth.
I’m hoping Jason Donald breaks camp as the Indians utility infielder but I don’t mind Grudz as a depth signing.
I couldn’t disagree more with the first part. Jason Donald NEEDS to be playing everyday and he won’t do that at the ML level. Donald missed too much developmental time at AAA last year with injuries. He has only half a year at AAA in his career and it wasn’t even a good stint.
Not sure Grundle makes the team but sure he’ll get a legit shot at the utility job just like Tony Graffanino got it out of spring training last year.
I’m sure if the Royals knew he still wanted to play, they would have scooped him up early on a 3 year deal. Goes very well with Dayton’s plan.
Best part of this deal is if he makes the majors… you get to see his name on the back of his jersey…lol The G starts at his lower back and wraps around to the other side of his back with a K. ….. Gotta love Grudsy