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mrschroeder08 partyvancaptain pee_callus25 Tags 2010 Preview 5 Million Dollar Black Hole AAAA Aaron Heilman Aaron Miles Alfonso Soriano Andres Blanco Angel Guzman Aramis Ramirez Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves B.J. 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Did I see enough promise to have some positive thoughts on this team? Kansas City Royals 2009 Record: 65-97 (t-4th, AL Central) Key Additions: Scott Podsednik (OF), Rick Ankiel (OF), Chris Getz (2B), Jason Kendall (C), Josh Fields (3B/OF), Wilson Betemit (INF), Brad Thompson (RP), Brian Anderson (OF), Matt Herges (RP) Key Losses: Mark Teahen (OF/3B), Coco Crisp (OF), John Buck (C), Miguel Olivo (C), Jamey Wright (RP), Josh Anderson (OF) Summary: Early last decade, statistical analysis seemed to really start taking hold in MLB front offices. There of course was Moneyball, detailing Billy Beane's success in finding market deficiencies. There were the Boston Red Sox championships, due in no small part to Theo Epstein. One team that has been very slow to move in that direction has been the Kansas City Royals. Frankly, that is to their detriment. First, looking at the key additions list, I have to say: what's with the 2009 White Sox obsession? Podsednik, Getz, Fields, Betemit and Anderson all spent time on that club. If I am looking to rebuild a team, I don't know that that would be my first choice. Anyways, the lineup does not have much that jumps out at you except Billy Butler. Granted, he is the worst major league first base starter in the state of Missouri, but the man crushed 51 doubles while OPS'ing an .853. He is going to get better and will hopefully start getting some national recognition. The problem is that there is not much of anything around him. Rick Ankiel and Jose Guillen will be the other primary power sources, but neither one give you even a decent on-base percentage. Scott Podsednik is ridiculously overrated after last season. He is a bad fielder, a bad base runner, but he is fast. Yuniesky Betancourt would be among the worst starting shortstops in baseball (and Mike Aviles would not be much better if at all). Alex Gordon is the one other person in this lineup one can look at and see maybe he can give Butler some help. Outside of that, I do not like this lineup at all. Pitching wise, reigning AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke is unquestionably the man. While he probably will not replicate 2009, he could come darn close. While his strand rate was higher than average, so was his BABIP against. There is a good chance last year was not just a fluke. Behind him Gil Meche and Brian Bannister have at least shown they can be major league caliber pitchers. Neither are great, but they are at least average. The question is if Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies can step up. Davies big problem is control (86 K/66 BB), and it is questionable as to whether he will climb that hurdle. Hochevar, on the other hand, had a bit of bad luck last year and his fielder-independent ERA was under 5 (though still worse than average). He is the one guy that could emerge this year I feel (if anyone does). Joakim Soria is an elite closer who will not get attention because of his team, but he is fun to watch pitch. The bottom line here is: I like the Royals pitching much, much more than the lineup. Cubs Connection: Remember when Kyle Farnsworth was supposed to be a big part of the Cubs future? Well, ten years later, Farnsworth's most-remembered Cubs moment was, without a doubt, the tackle of Paul Wilson in 2003. Though that was awesome, from a baseball sense it makes you sad. He is now one of the primary setup men for the Royals, and he actually pitched in the game I saw last September. While he technically didn't allow any earned runs, he did enter the game with a 5-1 lead, and after a third of an inning pitched, left with the lead cut in half. He was not popular at Kauffman that day. He did not have a particularly good year last year, but he can still be a capable reliever. Just make sure he sticks to grabbling opposing pitchers, not dugout fans (and I am referring to the appliance, not the person). BIBGLBOOPSARG(tm) LF Scott Podsednik RF David DeJesus 1B Billy Butler DH Jose Guillen CF Rick Ankiel 3B Alex Gordon SS Yuniesky Betancourt 2B Chris Getz C Jason Kendall P Zack Greinke, Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies Closer: Joakim Soria Predicted Finish: Fourth place in the AL Central. I am giving them the edge over the Indians because I do like their pitching potential. The lineup is pretty blah so if Davies and Hochevar continue to struggle, it will be another struggle to stay out of the cellar. As far as offense goes, the Royals really need to change their approach, because whatever they are doing, it looks like they could definitely do better. Posted in: 2010 Preview, Kansas City Royals | ||