Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Hideo Nomo is getting another shot at pitching in America.

Hideo Nomo, seen here pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on Friday. AP PHOTO

The right-hander agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and was invited to spring training next month. The 39-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005 and made seven starts in the Venezuelan Winter League in 2006.

"He's been a successful major league pitcher in the past, and we wanted to give him an opportunity to compete for a job," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Friday. "Any player we bring into major league camp, we feel can compete for a job, and he's going to get a chance."

Nomo, who's had a history of shoulder problems, could fill a spot in the rotation or as a reliever. An added benefit would be mentoring Yasuhiko Yabuta.

If he is added to the major league roster, Nomo would get a $600,000, one-year contract and have the chance to earn $100,000 in performance bonuses.

New Royals manager Trey Hillman spent the past five seasons managing the Nippon Ham Fighters and helped lure Yabuta to Kansas City. The 34-year-old right-hander agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract in November and is expected to compete for a spot as the Royals' primary setup man.

"Obviously, it will be good with Yasuhiko Yabuta here," Moore said. "Hideo has a lot of experience and can help guide him along and serve as a role model."

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) The New York Yankees are still discussing whether to pursue a trade for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana, and senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner would like to make a deal.

"Nothing is really decided at this point," Steinbrenner said Friday night outside Legends Field at the team's spring training complex. "I'm still leaning towards doing it. There's others leaning not to do it. There are some others that are leaning to do it also. Disagreements within the organization. Nothing major, but just different opinions. I've changed my opinion a couple times."

Right-hander Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera would likely be part of a three-player package needed to obtain Santana, a two-time Cy Young Award winner who can become a free agent after this season.

The Yankees made an offer to Minnesota for Santana earlier this offseason, then said they had pulled out of trade talks.

Steinbrenner said ultimately the final decision will made by ownership, but the opinion of general manager Brian Cashman is important.

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