Bonifacio...Gone. #DennyMatthewsVoice

The Royals, on January 30th, re-signed SP Bruce Chen to a 1 year deal worth $4.25 million.  This was the not the first, not the second, third, nor fourth time we've signed the 36 year old.  The recent signing marks as the FIFTH time we've signed the lefty since arriving in Kansas City back in 2009.  If you haven't noticed, he's well liked in The City of Fountains.

With the return of 'Chen Music,' the Royals needed to make a corresponding move to allow an open spot on the 40-man roster.  This morning, it was announced by Royals reporters Pete Grathoff and Josh Vernier that the Royals had Designated For Assignment utility infielder Emilio Bonifacio.

This move seemed to stir up some confusion on the Royals Twitterverse, considering in the middle of January, the Royals had avoided arbitration with Bonifacio, signing him to a 1 year deal worth $3.5 million.  Plenty of rumors were spreading about possibly trading the speedster before Opening Day and how he wouldn't be keen on a bench role as a super utility guy.  Ultimately, the playing time he would want, won't be there this season.

"He wanted to get a lot of playing time, and with the signing of (Omar) Infante and with the way our roster likely was going to shape up, there was just no guarantee that was going to happen." - Dayton Moore

With the departure of Bonifacio, assuming he is claimed off waivers by another team, it seems that the race for a backup middle infielder has come to Christian Colon and Pedro Ciriaco.

Ciriaco, 28, was claimed off waivers last July from the San Diego Padres.  For Omaha, he played in 43 games, predominately at SS, hitting .281/.310/.363 with 8 2B, 1 HR, and 15 RBI.  He managed to get a call-up to Kansas City, but only compiled 11 plate appearances and 2 hits.  Last year was not his first stint in the Major Leagues, as he's played in 163 games with three other teams.  In 449 plate appearances, he has a line of .277/.307/.385 with 4 HR, 34 RBI and 27 SB.

As for the 24 year old Colon, he seems to be the more popular choice as a backup, but will certainly have to earn it during Spring Training, bearing in mind Colon has no big league experience and Ciriaco doesn't have a bad track record in the Majors.

For now, bench roles already locked up look like: Justin Maxwell and Jarrod Dyson in the OF, newly acquired IF Danny Valencia will take the corners 1st and 3rd base, and Ramon Hernandez will sit behind the plate, when Sal feels the need to take a day off.  In total, that's 12 position players on the Opening Day roster with one spot remaining.  Spring Training could not get here fast enough.