The Royals traded first baseman Ross Gload to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday for a player to be named.

The Royals also sent cash to the Marlins, apparently to help pay for his $1.9 million salary for this year.

Gload, who will be 33 on Sunday, batted .280 (14-for-50) in 22 Cactus League games this spring.

He became expendable as the Royals settled on Mike Jacobs and Billy Butler as their primary first basemen and designated hitters. Gload also was a capable outfielder but the Royals were buttressed there with second-base candidates Mark Teahen, Willie Bloomquist and Alberto Callaspo all able to play the outfield. Outfielder Mitch Maier also is still in camp.

Gload spent two seasons as a utility player for the Royals, batting .288 in 2007 and .273 last year. He had little home-run power, combining for just 10 in two years.

He came to the Royals on Dec. 16, 2006, from the Chicago White Sox in a trade for pitcher Andrew Sisco.

— Dick Kaegel