What a difference one month makes.
The Royals entered last September with 19 losses in their previous 23 games. Players were increasingly mutinous under first-year manager Trey Hillman.
A fifth straight last-place finish seemed certain, and a fifth 100-loss season in seven years appeared well within reach. General manager Dayton Moore responded with a bristling rebuke to players in a private clubhouse meeting during which he backed Hillman in unshakable terms.
Moore then told the public of his intention to make sweeping roster changes before the 2009 season. So what happened? The team went 18–8 in September—the Royals’ most wins in a month since July 1994.
They avoided last place, thanks to Detroit, by one game. And just that quickly, optimism sprouted that, just maybe, Moore had this club on the right track.
Owner David Glass authorized a payroll bump of more than 20 percent to a franchise-record $70-plus million. And while Moore didn’t exactly overhaul the roster, he did use the added cash to make some major additions—most notably in acquiring first baseman Mike Jacobs and outfielder Coco Crisp to bolster a run-starved lineup.
The result is the Royals now believe they can contend in the AL Central. Anything short of .500 will viewed throughout the organization as a disappointment. September did all that.
ROTATION
Kyle Davies embodied the club’s strong finish by going 4–1 with a 2.27 ERA in September. The offseason posed no bigger question than whether his closing kick, like that of the Royals, was a mirage.
If not, if Davies has finally found a way to reach his potential, then the Royals suddenly have as solid a front three as any team in the division—and perhaps in the American League.
Gil Meche and Zack Greinke established themselves last year as a formidable one-two, and both should benefit this season if the offense perks up as hoped.
The desire for a lefty led the Royals to overpay for free agent Horacio Ramirez, although he could get squeezed into the bullpen if Brian Bannister and Luke Hochevar produce strong springs. More likely, either Bannister or Hochevar will open the season in the minors.
BULLPEN
Moore needed to rebuild this unit after dealing away Leo Nuñez and Ramon Ramirez in offense-boosting trades for Jacobs and Crisp.
Then again, Joakim Soria is still around, and it’s a lot easier putting together a bullpen when you already have an All-Star closer. Soria was marvelous a year ago in notching 42 saves in 45 opportunities while compiling a 1.60 ERA.
The Royals really wanted to add a power righthander to compensate for losing Nuñez and Ramirez, which is why they shelled out $9.25 million to sign Kyle Farnsworth for two years.
Maybe it’ll work out.
The key, however—beyond a healthy Soria—could hinge on two lefties: can Ron Mahay bounce back from an injured left foot—he was en route to the best season of his 12-year career before suffering plantar fasciitis in early August—and can John Bale stay healthy and deliver the overpowering stuff he flashed in compiling 10 scoreless September appearances?
MIDDLE INFIELD
The one real offseason whiff was Moore’s inability to acquire a productive veteran middle infielder to replace departed second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.
The Royals eventually signed veteran utilityman Willie Bloomquist after deciding they lacked the available payroll to do more than take a hard look at shortstop Rafael Furcal.
So it appears that rookie sensation Mike Aviles will remain at shortstop instead of shifting to second.
Aviles impersonated Texas star Michael Young for four months last season after arriving from the minors—batting .325 with some pop while playing solid defense. Whether Aviles can maintain that high standard is an open question.
Switch-hitter Alberto Callaspo will battle Bloomquist for the starting job at second. Callaspo batted .305 in 74 games but has little speed, no pop and limited range.
CORNERS
Third baseman Alex Gordon raised his production last season from his rookie year, but he’s still a long way from becoming the impact bat the Royals envision.
The tools are there, though. Maybe this is the year. First base is anyone’s guess. The safe money is that Jacobs and Billy Butler will both get regular duty with one at first and the other at DH.
Since both are substandard defensively, that seems to create a job for veteran Ross Gload as a caddy. OK so far, but what happens to Ryan Shealy, who had a hot September and is out of options? And if displaced outfielder Mark Teahen doesn’t play at first, then he doesn’t have a regular job.
OUTFIELD
Acquiring Crisp from Boston accomplishes several goals. It adds a superb defensive player with the speed necessary to patrol center field at spacious Kauffman Stadium. It also adds a switch-hitter who can bat leadoff.
Best of all, perhaps, Crisp arrives as a motivated player after three somewhat disappointing years in Boston. Former center fielder David DeJesus shifts to left, where club officials believe he is a more natural fit, while dropping lower in the order.
DeJesus isn’t a classic No. 3 hitter, but he is coming off his best offensive season and owns a .317 career average with runners in scoring position.
Right fielder José Guillen can be expected to stir the pot, as always, but he led the club last season with 20 homers and 97 RBIs despite battling a series of small injuries.
CATCHING
Veteran Miguel Olivo blasted Hillman in late August and vowed not to trigger his portion of a mutual option to return unless he was guaranteed the No. 1 catching job. Well, Olivo is back and, indeed, he is the starter as camp opens.
That leaves John Buck as the clear backup at this point after being the starter since his arrival in a June 2004 trade with Houston. Either guy could become expendable if Brayan Peña, who is out of options, has a strong camp.
DH/BENCH
Teahen lost his outfield job when the Royals acquired Crisp. And while club officials insist he’ll get plenty of playing time, it’s hard to see where — barring a trade or an injury. Teahen can play both outfield corners along with third and first.
Gload has the protection of a $1.9 million contract, while Esteban German and/or the Callaspo/Bloomquist loser will provide utility support.
Tony Peña opened last season as the starting shortstop but, after batting just .169, faces long odds just to hold onto a roster spot. Mitch Maier is the top candidate if the club needs a fifth outfielder.
MANAGEMENT
Moore has the Royals pointed in the right direction as he enters his third full season. Look for his success in convincing the Glass family to boost spending on scouting and player development to begin paying dividends within the next year.
Hillman shook up his staff after a rocky first year exposed his lack of previous exposure to the big leagues. Adding former Toronto manager John Gibbons as bench coach should help. Hillman also benefits from having Bob McClure, who is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the game’s better pitching coaches.
FINAL ANALYSIS
The Royals are, finally, good enough to dream. All other AL Central teams are flawed, and if the Royals catch a few breaks, they could find themselves playing meaningful games in September. That’s the high end, of course. But reaching .500 for only the second time in 15 years seems an attainable goal.
Carter’s Projected Royals Lineup
CF Coco Crisp
SS Mike Aviles
LF David DeJesus
RF Jose Guillen
1B Mike Jacobs
DH Billy Butler
3B Alex Gordon
C Miguel Olivo
2B Alberto Callaspo
Bench
C John Buck
1B Ross Gload
UT Esteban German
IF Willie Bloomquist
UT Mark Teahen
Rotation
RH Gil Meche
RH Zach Greinke
RH Kyle Davies
LH Horacio Ramirez
RH Brian Bannister
Bullpen
Joakim Soria (Closer)
LH Ron Mahay
RH Kyle Farnsworth
LH John Bale
RH Robinson Tejeda
LH Jimmy Gobble
Carter’s Final Kansas City Royals Prediction
4th in American League Central Division
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