Kuzul

In a surprise announcement, the Kansas City Royals have sent out a press release that RHP Gil Meche will retire, effective immediately.

Meche, who is only 32 years old but has fought injuries, spent the past four seasons with the Royals after beginning his career with the Seattle Mariners. He was drafted 22nd overall in the first round of the 1996 MLB Amateur Draft.

Though he had mediocre success while in Seattle, the Royals handed Meche a five-year, $55 million contract after the 2006 season, which at the time matched Mike Sweeney for the largest contract in franchise history.

Due to baseball contracts being guaranteed, Meche could have stayed with the club and collected the salary from the final year of his contract, even if was unable to pitch. There was some thought that he may pitch out of the bullpen if healthy.

Meche finishes his career with an 84-83 record and a 4.49 ERA.

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Basbeall analyst Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday that the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals are in talks about trading Oliver Perez to Kansas City.

In return, the Mets would get veteran pitcher Gil Meche, who is currently rehabbing after his injury.

This trade would be dead even if it is made, as both are in their last year in their contracts, with each left with $12 million.

Not only is that situation similar, stats wise, too.

Perez and Meche are both 0-4, and their ERAs are hovering around above 6.

Meche might be able to regain his past sucess when he won 15 games in 2003, and 14 games in 2008 if he goes to the National League, as they have weaker lineups.

Many fans do believe that if Perez lands on an American League team, he would get pounded very badly.

But what would be the point of this trade, without adding in some players?

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur of the Mets is on the trading block, as the outfield is set with Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran, and Angel Pagan.

On the other side in Kansas City, they have the veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth.

Keep an eye out on trades this summer, as many big ones have occurred already.

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