I hear the Royals are going with extra-large jerseys this year. They're going to need them to fit "Mientkiewicz" and "Grudzielanek" on the back, as the two free agent infielders agreed today to one-year contracts with Kansas City. For Dougie, my only response is, "Say it ain't so! Please, Doug, not Kansas City!" How could you go from the ALCS with the Twins and a World Series ring with Boston to the Mets and now the Royals? Ouch.

The Royals also picked up free agent pitcher Scott Elarton. Elarton, who was 11-9 for Cleveland last year, agreed to a two-year deal with the perennial American League bottom-dwellers.

» Mientkiewicz, Grudzielanek, Elarton join Royals [Yahoo! Sports]

Trading was heavy on day three of the Winter Meetings, and I'll try to recap as many of the big ones as I can.

Outfielder Juan Pierre became the latest member of the Florida Marlins to add the prefix "former-" to that title. He was sent to the Cubs for a trio of pitchers.

The Braves sent catcher Johnny Estrada out west to Arizona for a pair of righty relievers.

The Padres and Devil Rays got in on the action, as San Diego sent third baseman Sean Burroughs to Tampa Bay for pitcher Dewon Brazelton.

Journeyman pitcher Mark Redman is on the move again. The former Twin, Tiger, Marlin, and Athletic can now add Pirate to his list of formers, as Pittsburgh is sending Redman to the Royals for pitcher Jonah Bayliss.

This one isn't confirmed just yet, but the Pirates and Reds are said to be close to a deal that would send first baseman Sean Casey to Pittsburgh in exchange for pitcher Dave Williams.

I believe that's all the big moves for today so far, but the meetings are not yet over....

» Cubs fill big hole with speedy Pierre [mlb.com]
» Braves ship Estrada to D-Backs [mlb.com]
» Rays acquire Burroughs from Padres [mlb.com]
» Bucs acquire Bayliss for Redman [mlb.com]
» Pirates close to bringing Casey home [mlb.com]