For the entire month of March, the Sportable Staff will look at one Major League Baseball team a day. We?ll look at their lineups and pitching and in the end, assess their playoff chances. Previews will be done by division, starting with the American League East. Each new division will also feature a new podcast devoted entirely to that division.
Triple A team, or Major League team?
This has been the debate raging in Kansas City, and around the big leagues for the past few years, and it may continue this year. The Royals just can’t do anything right, and unlike perennial losers in other sports, the draft isn’t a way for a quick fix. And unfortunately for Kansas City fans (if there are any still left) there may be no fix for this team. They don’t spend money, they aren’t bringing up great new talent, and they’re wasting a huge portion of their team salary on Gil Meche. The fact that they are in the AL Central doesn’t help the rebuilding process as they are faced with four other very good teams within their division.
Bats
You can’t mention the Royals without bringing up their one good player, Mike Sweeney. For some reason Sweeney decided playing his entire career in Kansas City was a good idea. As a result of this he has faced losing season after losing season, and zero protection around him. It appears that will stay the same. Sweeney again has no protection, and this team will struggle to produce runs. Angel Berroa has never lived up to his hype as another great shortstop that the American League was supposed to produce, instead he has done very little in his career. There really isn’t anyone else on this team that can do a whole lot. Their third baseman Esteban German was the only hitter to hit over .300 and no one had over 20 home runs. They didn’t do anything this offseason to address that issue and so I’m not expecting much from their offense.
Arms
To say that pitching isn’t a strength for the Royals would be quite the understatement. Of their starting pitchers last year, none of them had an ERA under five. In addition, only one (Mark Redman) had double digit victories, notching up 11. The good news is that the Royals have essentially redone their entire pitching staff. They are counting on newly acquired Gil Meche, as well as a hopefully resurgent Zach Greinke. Their next three are essentially going to be castoffs, a familiar site for the Royals. Their bullpen is a bit stronger than their rotation, and is anchored by Jeff Nelson and Octavio Dotel, two set up men who used to be absolutely dominant. If these two could find some of their former skills, then they can lock down the 8th and 9th innings. It’s just getting there with a lead might be a little difficult.
Prediction
The Royals finishing in last place in the AL Central is about as certain as the sun rising. This year will be no exception. The other teams they have to compete against are just too good, and the Royals just didn’t do enough, or anything really, to make improvements.
