he let fly from outside the penalty area to send the ball inside

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Omar Infante walked past the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, where he dressed so many times as a member of the Detroit Tigers, and slipped on a crisp, new Kansas City Royals jersey. It was the latest sign of that the Royals intend to compete for the AL Central this season. The Royals introduced their new second baseman Tuesday, one day after announcing they had agreed to a $30.25 million, four-year contract that includes a club option for 2018. "I really got to see this team up close and I was very impressed by what they did last year," Infante said, "and I think theyre close to taking the next step." Infante will make $5 million next season, $7.5 million in 2015, $7.75 million in 2016 and $8 million in 2017. His option is $10 million with a $2 million buyout, and if Infante wins Silver Slugger or is picked for the All-Star game, his salary increases by $250,000 for each remaining season. Infante, who turns 32 next week, fills perhaps the most glaring hole that remained in the Royals lineup. Kansas City used six different options at second base last season, and none did enough to make the club feel comfortable about them in what could be a pivotal season for the franchise. The Royals are coming off an 86-76 season, their best record since 1989, and were in contention until the final week. But with star pitcher James Shields entering the final year of his contract, the window to break through to the playoffs for the first time since 1985 may be closing soon. Thats why the Royals have been aggressive this off-season. Theyve already sign left-hander Jason Vargas to a $32 million, four-year deal to make up for the likely loss of right-hander Ervin Santana in free agency, and traded reliever Will Smith to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Norichika Aoki. Royals general manager Dayton Moore said following the season that three most pressing needs were to add a starting pitcher, upgrade in the outfield and solidify the second base position. Infante appears to be the final major item on the off-season shopping list. "We like our club going forward," Moore said Tuesday. "Weve made a lot of improvements, but we fully expect and understand that were going to have to massage our roster and keep making adjustments throughout the year, and hopefully stay injury free." Infante has had some injury troubles in the past, including an ankle injury that he picked up during a collision at second base that limited him to 118 games last season. But he still hit .318 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs, far better production than Kansas City got from its second basemen. Emilio Bonifacio, Jamey Carroll, Chris Getz, Johnny Giavotella, Elliot Johnson and Miguel Tejada combined to hit just .243 with four home runs last season. Moore said earlier this off-season that he expected payroll to be about the same as it was in 2013, which ended at $86,614,795. But the signing of Infante combined with expected raises for arbitration-eligible players means the payroll for next season will shoot past $90 million, a franchise record. Thats led to speculation that the Royals may have to trim salary, and rumours that designated hitter Billy Butler -- who is owed $8.5 million next season with a club option for 2015 -- may become available for a trade. Moore said such rumours amounted to "hot stove rhetoric." "Its no different than you hear other players throughout the league that potentially are going to be moved," Moore said. "Billys a terrific hitter, and hes going to hit. Thats what Billy does." As for the payroll, Moore said that "were not under any directive to cut," and that team owner David Glass has been supportive and flexible when it comes to signing players such as Infante. "We all understand this makes really good sense, this type of deal," Moore said, "and putting Omar on this team, Mr. Glass has always been supportive." Infante also received interest from the New York Yankees, who are searching for a replacement for Robinson Cano. But they were lukewarm about going beyond three years, allowing Kansas City to seal the deal by offering a fourth year to a player who will be 35 by the end of the contract. "We think he can play," Moore said. "The players that play in the middle of the diamond for a long time, they all have some commonalities. Theyre very smart, theyre hard workers, good teammates, they know how to play, and thats why those guys have long careers." 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Son scored in the 62nd minute, when he let fly from outside the penalty area to send the ball inside the top right corner. Three Gladbach defenders failed to close down the South Korean. "There werent many goal chances. The game was going to be decided on a mistake and unfortunately we made it," Moenchengladbach captain Martin Stranzl said. Max Kruse was denied an equalizer by Bernd Leno in the 77th, three minutes before the Leverkusen keeper kept out another attempt by Juan Arango. Two Leverkusen substitutes, one in each haalf, were booked for slowing down play.dddddddddddd "Theres still room for improvement," Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes said. "Other teams will get better as well." Leverkusen was 10 points behind league leader Bayern Munich before the rest of the weekends games, while Moenchengladbach remained provisionally fifth after its third defeat in a row since the winter break. "Its a pity. A scoreless draw would have been fair," said Moenchengladbach coach Lucien Favre, whose side hasnt won in five games. "We have one or two things to correct. Well see. I have to turn it around." Bayern can restore its 13-point advantage with a win at Nuremberg on Saturday. ' ' '