The Kansas City Royals were busy on Friday, signing second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, pitcher Scott Elarton, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and catcher Paul Bako to free agent contracts. Grudzielanek, who signed a one-year contract with an option for 2007, hit .294 with eight homers and 59 runs batted in last season for St. Louis. He led all NL second baseman with a .990 fielding percentage and committed just seven errors in 694 chances. He owns a career .287 batting average with 74 home runs and 502 RBI. Elarton was inked to a two-year deal after making a career-high 31 starts last season with Cleveland. He finished 11-9 with a 4.61 earned run average in 181 2/3 innings of work. The righthander is 50-47 with a 5.10 ERA in his career. Mientkiewicz signed a one-year contract and played just 87 games for the New York Mets last season, recording 11 home runs and 29 RBI. He owns a career .268 batting average with 55 homers and 305 runs batted in. Meanwhile, Bako played only 13 games last season for Los Angeles before suffering a season-ending knee injury while running the bases. He is career .239 hitter with 14 home runs and 133 RBI. To make room on the 40-man roster, Kansas City designated first baseman Ken Harvey, outfielder Matt Diaz and pitchers Shawn Camp and Chris Demaria for assignment.