Nomo signs deal with Royals

The Kansas City Royals signed the Japanese and former Devil Ray great Hideo Nomo to a minor league deal. Why is anyone's guess. The former NL Rookie of the year hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2005, and made only 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. I like Dayton Moore, he seems like a nice enough guy, but I don't quite see this one working out consdiering in Nomo posted the two worst ERAs in the majors since 2004 at 8.25 and 7.24 respectively. "I want to hang in there no matter what, hoping that I won't get injured," Nomo said Friday on his official Web site. Way to have confidence and shoot for the stars Hideo.