Royals sign 12 players to contracts for 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Royals are taking care of some last-minute business before the start of spring training. The team announced the signing of 12 players to one-year Major League contracts for 2012.

The newly signed players includes seven pitchers: Nate Adcock, Kelvin Herrera, Jeremy Jeffress, Sean O'Sullivan, Blake Wood, Everett Teaford and Ryan Verdugo.  The team signed three outfielders: Jarrod Dyson, David Lough and Derrick Robinson. Catcher Manuel Pina and first baseman Clint Robinson also agreed to terms.

Kansas City still has 12 members of the 40-man roster unsigned at the present moment. All 12 players have zero to three years of service time. So, they are not eligible for free agency. The list of unsigned players includes: Louis Coleman, Greg Holland, Vin Mazzaro, Luis Mendoza, Tim Collins, Danny Duffy, Salvador Perez, Alcides Escobar, Johnny Giavotella, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain.

The Royals should have most of the unsigned players under contract in the near future. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Surprise, Ariz. on Feb. 20. The rest of the squad will report on Feb. 24. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 25.