Post by manny27 on Oct 15, 2007 1:39:01 GMT -5
The Kansas City Royals are NOT sellers.
We repeat....no sale going on in Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals have retained several key players and jumped into the free agent market to solidify what was a playoff roster last year.
STRENGTHS:
ON BASE HITTERS
DEPTH IN THE LINEUP
SOLID YOUNG STARTERS
DEPTH IN THE BULLPEN
WEAKNESSES:
LEGITIMATE PROTECTION FOR CARLOS BELTRAN
LEGITIMATE STARTING 2ND BASEMAN AND RIGHTFIELD
BULLPEN DEPENDABILITY
BEST PLAYERS:
CARLOS BELTRAN AND SHAWN CHACON
TIME TO STEP UP PLAYERS:
RUBEN MATEO, ERIC HINSKE AND JEREMY AFFELDT
Mateo will be looked upon to provide solid 4th outfield play, as well as a DH role from time to time. The team hopes that Mateo and rookie David Dejesus can combine to be an excellent depth tandem for the Royals in 2004. Eric Hinske needs to establish himself as an everyday third baseman, including improving his hitting against left handed pitching...the one thing that has held him back. If Hinske can step up and play everyday, the Royals will have an excellent infield for a long time to come. Jeremy Affeldt will be watched closely all season to decide what his role will be. Affeldt has excellent stuff and can start games or close them...it is entirely up to Jeremy on where his place will be with the Royals.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1) S D. Relaford SS
2) S S. Spiezio DH
3) S C. Beltran CF
4) L E. Hinske 3B
5) L R. Ibanez LF
6) R R. Castro C
7) R B. Berger RF
8) L D. Mientkiewicz 1B
9) R C. Febles 2B
Overall, the Royals will need a similiar 2003 from Desi Relaford, as he really set the tone for the offense. With the signing of Mientkiewicz, Scott Spezio will have more rest, and should provide continued leadership and solid on base percentage. With Ibanez in left, the Royals may opt for a trade and he would fetch something going down the stretch. The Royals really do lack a solid #3 hitter, and with their depth in the system, expect something to get done before the season ends.
PITCHING ROTATION
Starting Rotation
1) R S. Chacon
2) R K. Millwood
3) R R. Hernandez
4) L D. May
5) L M. Hendrickson
Mopup Reliever
1) R M. MacDougal
2) L J. Moreno
Middle Reliever
1) L F. Heredia
2) R C. Reitsma
3) R M. MacDougal
4)
Setup Reliever
1) R L. Hawkins
2) R V. Nunez
Closer
1) R R. Bukvich
With the additions of Hawkins, Heredia and Millwood, the Royals staff expects better results this season. Ryan Bukvich has emerged as the closer for KC this season, and with the Royals solid depth, he will get every chance to hold that role.
We repeat....no sale going on in Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals have retained several key players and jumped into the free agent market to solidify what was a playoff roster last year.
STRENGTHS:
ON BASE HITTERS
DEPTH IN THE LINEUP
SOLID YOUNG STARTERS
DEPTH IN THE BULLPEN
WEAKNESSES:
LEGITIMATE PROTECTION FOR CARLOS BELTRAN
LEGITIMATE STARTING 2ND BASEMAN AND RIGHTFIELD
BULLPEN DEPENDABILITY
BEST PLAYERS:
CARLOS BELTRAN AND SHAWN CHACON
TIME TO STEP UP PLAYERS:
RUBEN MATEO, ERIC HINSKE AND JEREMY AFFELDT
Mateo will be looked upon to provide solid 4th outfield play, as well as a DH role from time to time. The team hopes that Mateo and rookie David Dejesus can combine to be an excellent depth tandem for the Royals in 2004. Eric Hinske needs to establish himself as an everyday third baseman, including improving his hitting against left handed pitching...the one thing that has held him back. If Hinske can step up and play everyday, the Royals will have an excellent infield for a long time to come. Jeremy Affeldt will be watched closely all season to decide what his role will be. Affeldt has excellent stuff and can start games or close them...it is entirely up to Jeremy on where his place will be with the Royals.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1) S D. Relaford SS
2) S S. Spiezio DH
3) S C. Beltran CF
4) L E. Hinske 3B
5) L R. Ibanez LF
6) R R. Castro C
7) R B. Berger RF
8) L D. Mientkiewicz 1B
9) R C. Febles 2B
Overall, the Royals will need a similiar 2003 from Desi Relaford, as he really set the tone for the offense. With the signing of Mientkiewicz, Scott Spezio will have more rest, and should provide continued leadership and solid on base percentage. With Ibanez in left, the Royals may opt for a trade and he would fetch something going down the stretch. The Royals really do lack a solid #3 hitter, and with their depth in the system, expect something to get done before the season ends.
PITCHING ROTATION
Starting Rotation
1) R S. Chacon
2) R K. Millwood
3) R R. Hernandez
4) L D. May
5) L M. Hendrickson
Mopup Reliever
1) R M. MacDougal
2) L J. Moreno
Middle Reliever
1) L F. Heredia
2) R C. Reitsma
3) R M. MacDougal
4)
Setup Reliever
1) R L. Hawkins
2) R V. Nunez
Closer
1) R R. Bukvich
With the additions of Hawkins, Heredia and Millwood, the Royals staff expects better results this season. Ryan Bukvich has emerged as the closer for KC this season, and with the Royals solid depth, he will get every chance to hold that role.