NBC Sports/Pouliot: Royals’ Moore lacks vision, should lack job

Disastrous.

It’s the word I used to describe the Royals’ offseason at the time that they made their one positive move. It is likely that getting Zack Greinke signed to a four-year deal likely will benefit the Royals’ long-term future more than the rest of the moves combined will take away from it. Still, it didn’t have to be like this.

Let’s review. Here are all the notable moves the team made over the winter:

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12/11/2008 - Signed LHP Horacio Ramirez to a one-year, $1.8 million contract.

The first of two completely unreasonable moves. One could actually justify giving Ramirez a major league deal to pitch in relief, but the Royals signed him to start and gave him a rotation spot even after he performed as poorly as any player in the Cactus League. Fortunately, they did replace him after just one turn through the rotation, cutting their losses.

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12/13/2008 - Signed RHP Kyle Farnsworth to a two-year, $9.25 million contract with a club option for 2011.

The second horrific move. The market for average relievers had already been set when Bob Howry jumped on a one-year, $2.75 million offer from the Giants. It never became clear what team the Royals competed against to sign Farnsworth.