A Royal Resurgence?

FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Kansas City Royals.

The 2008 season was a lot like every other season for the Kansas City Royals lately, with one major exception. They didn't finish in last place of the AL Central. No, that honor went to the Detroit Tigers instead. Still, while fourth place isn't really anything to get excited about in any baseball city other than Pittsburgh, in Kansas City it has bred hope for better things in 2009.

The biggest reason for this is the way the Royals finished in 2008. After coming into September with a record of 57-79 the Royals went 18-8 over the final month, their most wins in any month since July 1994. Fittingly, that season ended a few weeks later.

In 2009, though, the Royals are hoping they can carry that momentum into a new season in an AL Central division that really has no clear-cut favorite. Could this be the year the Royals finally get back to October?

Lineup
1.	Coco Crisp	CF
2.	Mike Aviles	SS
3.	David DeJesus	LF
4.	Jose Guillen	RF
5.	Mike Jacobs	1B
6.	Billy Butler	DH
7.	Alex Gordon	3B
8.	Miguel Olivo	C
9.	Alberto Callaspo	2B
Pitching Staff
1.	Gil Meche	R
2.	Zack Greinke	R
3.	Kyle Davies	R
4.	Horacio Ramirez	L
5.	Brian Bannister	R
CL	Joakim Soria	R

Coming And Going

In: Coco Crisp, CF (trade); Mike Jacobs, 1B/DH (trade); Horacio Ramirez, P (free agency); Kyle Farnsworth, RP (free agency); Willie Bloomquist, 2B (free agency); Juan Cruz, RP (free agency)
Out: Mark Grudzielanek, 2B (free agency): Joey Gathright, OF (free agency); Esteban German, IF (free agency); Brett Tomko, SP (free agency); Brandon Duckworth, SP (free agency); Leo Nunez, RP (trade); Ramon Ramirez, RP (trade)

Storylines

Let's Get Some Runs
What's truly scary about the fact that the Royals were able to put together a 75-win season in 2008 is that they didn't score very many runs. Their 691 runs scored were by far the fewest in the AL Central, with the Indians finishing in fourth place a scant 114 runs ahead of them. So the Royals went out and spent some money to help put more crooked numbers on the scoreboard, getting Coco Crisp to man center field and lead off, and Mike Jacobs, hoping he bring some of the 32 home runs he hit last year for Florida with him. If these two offseason signings pan out, the Royals' lineup should be much more potent in 2009.

Davies Works Out The Kinks
A big reason that the Royals were so successful in September last season was the strong finish of right-hander Kyle Davies. Davies struggled through July and August with a 2-5 record and an ERA of 5.70, but went 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in September. If he can continue pitching like that in 2009, he'll give the Royals one of the best rotations in the division pitching behind Gil Meche and Zack Greinke. If Brian Bannister can bounce back from a bad 2008 and Luke Hochevar reaches the potential the Royals see in him, look out.

Still Waiting for Baby Brett
When Alex Gordon joined the Royals in 2007, he did so with the expectations that he'd be the next George Brett over at third base. Placing that kind of weight on a kid's shoulders is incredibly unfair, and the effects of that pressure seemed to show in his performance. He bounced back in his sophomore season and improved his hitting, but he's still not the hitter the Royals were hoping for. If Gordon finally figures things out in 2009, the entire dynamic of the Royals lineup will completely change.

Who's at Second?
While the Royals did make some nice additions to the team this winter, there is still one glaring hole on the roster -- second base. Mark Grudzielanek is gone and the Royals didn't bring in anybody to replace him. Instead no bat and no glove Alberto Callaspo will battle Willie Bloomquist for the job. Both players are best left on the bench, so whoever wins the job won't get much more playing time than the other. Maybe one of the 43 first baseman/designated hitters on the roster can make the transition?

2009 Outlook

Why You Should Watch: You should watch the Royals this season because there's actually hope in Kansas City. While in previous years, Royals fans have just prayed to avoid a 100-loss season or possibly finish .500, they actually have a real chance at winning the division in 2009. There's also closer Joakim Soria, who if not relegated to Kansas City, would be talked about as the next Mariano Rivera. Plus, the team spent a whole bunch of money on renovating Kauffman Stadium, including $8.3 million on a 84-foot by 105-foot video scoreboard in center field. So much for that recession nonsense.

What Defines Success: While the Royals do have an actual chance of winning the AL Central this season, just reaching .500 this season and staying out of the AL Central basement should be considered a success, especially since the last five seasons have featured win totals of 58, 56 62, 69 and 75. The most important thing is growing the young talent.

Related Links

- Better Know a Prospect: Kansas City Royals