Another rumor coming out of the 2011 Winter Meetings is that the Kansas City Royals might be interested in free agent Carlos Guillen. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors says that it’s mostly American League teams interested in the 36-year-old.
Dierkes writes, “The Royals, Marlins, Twins, Athletics, and Mariners are interested in Carlos Guillen, agent Wilfredo Polidor told Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes Los Angeles. Guillen, 36, has missed increasing amounts in each of the last three seasons due to injuries. However, Polidor says his client is working like an animal in Miami and can help at almost any position. Guillen began his big league career with the Mariners and was traded to the Tigers in January of ’04.”
Guillen is a three-time All-Star and would likely serve as a veteran utility role player who could man second, third or shortstop. Given KC’s youth all over the infield, Guillen would become a solid addition just by his experience alone. However, his career average of .285 would also help at the plate. It’s not a major signing, but it’s the smaller pieces like this that can often make the biggest difference with a young team like the Royals.