(Last in a series of 30)
2005 Record: 56-106, 5th in AL Central
Woe is KC. They were likely headed in a downward spiral whether owner David Glass took over in 1993 or not. But Glass’ management --- Mismanagement? --- has only contributed to an even steeper decline. GM Allard Baird and manager Buddy Bell are left to try to make it all work.
The pitching staff was in disarray before camp started and it has become an even bigger mess during camp. The top three appear to be right-handers Scott Elarton, Runelvys Hernandez and Joe Mays. If that’s not enough to make your average big league hitter drool, then what is? Behind those three is still anyone’s guess right now, though lefty Jeremy Affeldt and righty Denny Bautista have pitched well enough to claim the last two spots. In fact, Affeldt and Bautista have pitched better this spring than the front three. Mike Wood and Elmer Dessens are also still in the mix.
An injury to southpaw Mark Redman and personal issues with Zack Greinke threw the rotation into a pickle this spring. Redman had to have some arthro work on a knee and could be back around mid-April. Greinke is off dealing with “longstanding emotional issues,” according to the Kansas City Star. There is no timetable for his return, though speculation is June.
Mike MacDougal entered camp as the closer before an injury to a muscle in his right shoulder shut him down. Early May is a best-case scenario for his return. While he’s out, Bell has decided to go with 21-yr-old Ambiorix Burgos in the closer’s slot. Since that news came across the wires, Burgos has stumbled a bit in preseason action.
The relief corps behind Burgos to start with will be made up of a blend that includes left-handers Andy Sisco and Jimmy Gobble, along with right-handers Joel Peralta and Luke Hudson, plus the losers in the rotation battles. Rumors are going around that several teams are interested in Gobble, so a trade is possible.
Though the winter acquisitions of Elarton, Mays and Redman might not pay big dividends this season, signing Reggie Sanders, Mark Grudzielanek and Doug Mientkiewicz should at least provide some veteran stability in the lineup. That is, of course, assuming that all three can stay healthy, something that has not always happened for Sanders and Grudzielanek.
Sanders will be in left field and probably bat cleanup in the order. The rest of the outfield will see David DeJesus in center and Emil Brown in right. DeJesus is going to bat leadoff, unless something drastic --- Like continued problems with his hamstring that have bugged him this spring --- changes that idea. Matt Stairs, Aaron Guiel and Chip Ambres are outfield backups and, since the club plans to carry just 11 pitchers to open up, all three could make the team. If one is sent down, it will be Guiel.
Veteran Mike Sweeney, who has endured more than his fair share of lackluster seasons in KC, will be the primary DH. Again, assuming he’s healthy. Sweeney has been bothered by a bruised ankle all spring; if he can’t get into action this week, his Opening Day status is in doubt.
Behind the plate are John Buck and Paul Bako. Buck’s bat has been slow this spring with Bako’s stick hot, but Buck should still be the #1 catcher on Opening Day.
Mientkiewicz and Grudzielanek man the right side of the infield and should give announcers a hard time when calling a Royals double play this year as they try to spit out those names. Mientkiewicz has been tearing it up this spring at the plate. Angel Berroa is the shortstop and capable of 15-20 homers plus some speed on the bases. Mark Teahen figures to be the Opening Day third sacker, but he might be at third by season’s end. Young phenom Alex Gordon, the second overall pick in 2005 out of Nebraska, is showing signs of being ready for the bigs a little ahead of schedule.
Joe McEwing and Esteban German are the best bets for reserve infield jobs, with Chris Clapinski and Ruben Gotay possibly seeing action at some point in the campaign.
Granted, they went out and added some nice inexpensive free agents in the offseason for the first time in, uh, well, a long time. But it’s still difficult to imagine this team finishing anywhere but the cellar in this division. And it might be a deep cellar at that.
Key Performer(s): Anyone listed as a pitcher in your scorebook. A lot of eyes will be on Elarton, Mays and Redman (when he returns from minor knee surgery).
Camp Question(s): Spring opened with a dozen arms competing for the rotation, and about as many competing for the pen. Injuries and personal problems whittled that down some, and what’s left on the mound really isn’t too appealing.
My Play: Before MacDougal and Redman went down with injuries, and Greinke’s “longstanding emotional issues” reared their head, I had the Royals down for 66 wins. Right now, Pinnacle lists KC at 64 (over -117; under +101) with The Greek making their break at 64½ (over +105; under -125). If you lean strongly one way or another, you can get some nominal value at one book or the other. Personally, I think they’re a good bet, along with Florida, to drop 100 in the loss column this season.
2005 Record: 56-106, 5th in AL Central
Woe is KC. They were likely headed in a downward spiral whether owner David Glass took over in 1993 or not. But Glass’ management --- Mismanagement? --- has only contributed to an even steeper decline. GM Allard Baird and manager Buddy Bell are left to try to make it all work.
The pitching staff was in disarray before camp started and it has become an even bigger mess during camp. The top three appear to be right-handers Scott Elarton, Runelvys Hernandez and Joe Mays. If that’s not enough to make your average big league hitter drool, then what is? Behind those three is still anyone’s guess right now, though lefty Jeremy Affeldt and righty Denny Bautista have pitched well enough to claim the last two spots. In fact, Affeldt and Bautista have pitched better this spring than the front three. Mike Wood and Elmer Dessens are also still in the mix.
An injury to southpaw Mark Redman and personal issues with Zack Greinke threw the rotation into a pickle this spring. Redman had to have some arthro work on a knee and could be back around mid-April. Greinke is off dealing with “longstanding emotional issues,” according to the Kansas City Star. There is no timetable for his return, though speculation is June.
Mike MacDougal entered camp as the closer before an injury to a muscle in his right shoulder shut him down. Early May is a best-case scenario for his return. While he’s out, Bell has decided to go with 21-yr-old Ambiorix Burgos in the closer’s slot. Since that news came across the wires, Burgos has stumbled a bit in preseason action.
The relief corps behind Burgos to start with will be made up of a blend that includes left-handers Andy Sisco and Jimmy Gobble, along with right-handers Joel Peralta and Luke Hudson, plus the losers in the rotation battles. Rumors are going around that several teams are interested in Gobble, so a trade is possible.
Though the winter acquisitions of Elarton, Mays and Redman might not pay big dividends this season, signing Reggie Sanders, Mark Grudzielanek and Doug Mientkiewicz should at least provide some veteran stability in the lineup. That is, of course, assuming that all three can stay healthy, something that has not always happened for Sanders and Grudzielanek.
Sanders will be in left field and probably bat cleanup in the order. The rest of the outfield will see David DeJesus in center and Emil Brown in right. DeJesus is going to bat leadoff, unless something drastic --- Like continued problems with his hamstring that have bugged him this spring --- changes that idea. Matt Stairs, Aaron Guiel and Chip Ambres are outfield backups and, since the club plans to carry just 11 pitchers to open up, all three could make the team. If one is sent down, it will be Guiel.
Veteran Mike Sweeney, who has endured more than his fair share of lackluster seasons in KC, will be the primary DH. Again, assuming he’s healthy. Sweeney has been bothered by a bruised ankle all spring; if he can’t get into action this week, his Opening Day status is in doubt.
Behind the plate are John Buck and Paul Bako. Buck’s bat has been slow this spring with Bako’s stick hot, but Buck should still be the #1 catcher on Opening Day.
Mientkiewicz and Grudzielanek man the right side of the infield and should give announcers a hard time when calling a Royals double play this year as they try to spit out those names. Mientkiewicz has been tearing it up this spring at the plate. Angel Berroa is the shortstop and capable of 15-20 homers plus some speed on the bases. Mark Teahen figures to be the Opening Day third sacker, but he might be at third by season’s end. Young phenom Alex Gordon, the second overall pick in 2005 out of Nebraska, is showing signs of being ready for the bigs a little ahead of schedule.
Joe McEwing and Esteban German are the best bets for reserve infield jobs, with Chris Clapinski and Ruben Gotay possibly seeing action at some point in the campaign.
Granted, they went out and added some nice inexpensive free agents in the offseason for the first time in, uh, well, a long time. But it’s still difficult to imagine this team finishing anywhere but the cellar in this division. And it might be a deep cellar at that.
Key Performer(s): Anyone listed as a pitcher in your scorebook. A lot of eyes will be on Elarton, Mays and Redman (when he returns from minor knee surgery).
Camp Question(s): Spring opened with a dozen arms competing for the rotation, and about as many competing for the pen. Injuries and personal problems whittled that down some, and what’s left on the mound really isn’t too appealing.
My Play: Before MacDougal and Redman went down with injuries, and Greinke’s “longstanding emotional issues” reared their head, I had the Royals down for 66 wins. Right now, Pinnacle lists KC at 64 (over -117; under +101) with The Greek making their break at 64½ (over +105; under -125). If you lean strongly one way or another, you can get some nominal value at one book or the other. Personally, I think they’re a good bet, along with Florida, to drop 100 in the loss column this season.
