Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore keeps proving to the baseball world that he knows what he is doing. 
The trade of Zach
Greinke a last years made sense at the time and continues to make sense as the prospects who came back in the trade are ready to produce at the big league level. Still, are the Royals ready to take the next step and become legitimate contenders?
Projected Lineup:
- Lorenzo Cain (CF)
- Alex Gordon (LF)
- Eric Hosmer (1B)
- Billy Butler (DH)
- Mike Moustakas (3B)
- Jeff Francoeur (RF)
- Salvador Perez (C)
- Johnny Giavotella (2B)
- Alcides Escobar (SS)
Projected Rotation:
- Luke Hochevar
- Bruce Chen
- Jonathan Sanchez
- Felipe Paulino
- Aaron Crow
Strengths:
Minor Leagues: The Royals are a team with a bunch of guys that you have never heard of unless you really pay attention to the game. Even if you do, it’s hard to keep track of their entire lineup and at times you may think they’re running a AAA team out there, but I think it speaks to the talent the Royals have throughout their entire system. The front office decision makers are confident in these young guys and that is a good thing when the front office guys are actually smart.
Bullpen: I really like the 1-2 punch of Joakim Soria and Jonathan Broxton. These two (health allowing) should provide stability to the back end of games. Also, Tim Collins, Louis Coleman, and Greg Holland are no slouches for the middle innings.
Youth: The oldest player in the projected everyday lineup is left fielder Alex Gordon. I’m not saying that’s necessarily a strength this year, but as we project the Royals through the next few years, the outlook is strong. Pretty much everyone who should be on the 25-man roster this year is under contract through 2013 (minus Jonathan Broxton, Yuniesky Betancourt, and Jonathan Sanchez). We at off the bench like this team this year and for the next few years.
Weaknesses:
Starting Rotation: ESPN analyst Jim Bowden recently wrote an article articulating how the Mariners are the next Rays. At first glance, I wrote him off as I don’t agree with much of what he writes. However, I think he’s correct in his assessment as the two 
franchises are building out of starting pitching. The Royals are taking the opposite approach and appear to be stockpiling young position players at the expense of young starters. Luke Hochevar is young, but not ace material and Bruce Chen is alot of things other than young. Jonathan Shanchez would surprise me if he doesn’t sign with the Rangers next year and behind those three are more question marks. I’m not excited for these guys long term or short term and I see where the starters hold this team back from challenging the Tigers all season.
Catcher* (I really want to put catcher as a weakness, but I’m not sure I should so I will but with an asterisk): Salvador Perez is unproven yet talented. The 21 year old hit .331 last year in 158 at bats and I must say, I’m looking forward to seeing how the young guy holds up to a more prolonged exposure to big league pitching as I haven’t found much written about him from a prospect perspective. Behind Perez is Brayan Pena who is nothing more than an average backup catcher in the big leagues (an important niche no doubt).
Storylines:
Hosmer, Butler, Moustakas: These are three of the quieter and very good hitters in the league right now. Butler is a career .297 hitter with a consistent on base and professional approach. Eric Hosmer is one of the games young stars after hitting .293 last year with 19 homers. He looks to improve on those power numbers as he hit 5 of his homers and improved his average 14 points in September. Mike Moustakas struggled more than most thought he would, but the 23 year old third baseman could very well hit .280 with 20 homers this year. Such numbers would put him as one of the top offensive third basemen in the game.
Payroll: The Royals right now are on the hook for about $60 million this season and I expect that number to stay fairly steady as the franchise prepares to try to lock up some of their young position players long term as the Rays have managed to do. I’m interested to see if the guys who sign the check sign off on a big move, or salary addition in the hopes of taking the next step.
Prediction:
84-78, 2nd Place, AL Central. The Royals will keep the pressure on the Tigers through August but fall short as their pitching continues to hold them back. I’m also not sure where they will finish in the final standings as I think the Indians, Twins and Royals could all finish within 3 games. For now, I’m most excited about the Royals’ potential so they get the second place nod.
Bold Predictions:
- Luke Hochevar finally starts to figure it out: 16 wins, 4.02 ERA and 158 strikeouts.
- Jonathan Sanchez sports a 0.00 ERA after his first start and a 2.90 ERA at the All Star Break
- 22 year old Eric Hosmer finishes 5th in MVP voting.
- Salvador Perez does not hit .331 again.
- Jeff Francoeur pitches two (2) innings in a 23 inning 4-4 tie before getting the win and a save.
-Sean Morash
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