2008 Kansas City Royals Predictions & Season Preview

The makeover continues in Kansas City as this team tries to take another step forward in the AL Central Division. They Royals nearly clipped the White Sox for 4th place in the division last year. But the facts are the facts and Kansas City is clearly the worst team in this division again in 2008. That doesn't mean they aren't trying. The Royals hired a new manager in Trey Hillman and added some much-needed punch to the lineup by signing free agent Jose Guillen from Seattle. They have a remarkable new-found willingness to spend money and are praying it will pay off in the near future. Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter were on their radar, but those big names wisely stayed out of K.C. The effort is clearly there in the Royals' management, but whether they can compete in the tough AL Central is another issue.

Starting Rotation:

The Royals have their front 3 in the starting rotation pretty well set in Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke. Meche posted career highs in most categories last year after signing his 5-year, $55 million contract. Just a 9-13 record was no indication of how well he pitched though. Meche had the worst run support among all AL starters last season. Bannister was a huge surprise after joining the starting rotation last May. His stuff isn't dazzling, but he hits his spots which is key to being successful in the big leagues. Greinke has killer stuff but lacks in the mental department from time to time. The Royals would love it if Luke Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, to earn a starting job. Lefty reliever John Bale will get a shot. Other candidates to round out the starting rotation are Jorge De La Rosa, Kyle Davies and Luke Hudson who each got significant time on the mound last season.

Bullpen:

Joakim Soria is now the closer after emerging from the setup role last season. Once the Royals shipped Octavio Dotel to the Braves, Soria took full advantage of his opportunity in his rookie season to shine in late-game situations. The Royals signed veteran lefty Ron Mahay and Japanese righty Yasuhiko Yabuta to serve as the primary setup man this year. Jimmy Gobble is a situational lefty and Brandon Duckworth should again serve as the Longman/swingman. Bale seems sure of a job in the 'pen if he doesn't make the starting rotation. The remaining roster spots will have be bee battled out between lefty Neal Musser and right-handers Joel Peralta and Leo Nunez.

Line-Up:

The Royals are hoping that CF David DeJesus' .260 batting average last season in the lead-off role was just a fluke. He will have to improve on that number if he is to stay at the top of their line-up. Steady 2B Mark Grudzielanek will give it one more year with the Royals. RF Mark Teahen has to rediscover his power stroke while batting in the 3rd spot. He has been very effective when he is on. LF Jose Guillen will bat clean-up and his power is much-needed on a Royals' team that lacks in this category from top to bottom. 1B Ross Gload is a reliable contributor in the field, but his lack of pop is puzzling at a corner position. DH Billy Butler has the capabilities of being the right-handed version of a Travis Hafner with his power. 3B Alex Gordon bats 7th and should blossom now that mega0hype is in the rear-view mirror for this young stud. C John Buck has to get his act together after the Royals signed Miguel Olivo to back him up in the offseason. If Buck can't produce in the first couple months, look for Olivo to get his shot behind the plate. SS Tony Pena meshed well last season with 2B Mark Grudzielanek in his rookie season. Pena's .284 OBP keeps him at the bottom of this line-up though with struggles at the plate. Mike Sweeney is no longer on the bench after 17 years with this organization. Now Billy Butler will be the primary DH and has big shoes to fill. Butler's bat is too good to ignore, but his glove is too suspect to see much time on the field. Esteban German is a greaty utilityman that every club craves. His patience at the plate makes him a good pinch-hitter and he provides solid speed in pinch-running duties as well. Joey Gathright made great strides last season. He will start out on the bench and could serve as trade bait for other organizations. The Royals see Alberto Callaspo replacing Grudzielanek in 2009, but for now he will ride the pine and fill in when needed.

Royals 2008 Predictions:

The Royals are getting better now that they have several key parts that will cause fits for even the best teams in the league. They went 51-49 from May 13 through Sept. 3. That suggests that setting their goals for a .500 record for the entire 162-game schedule is within reason. They just have to avoid the 8-20 start in 2004, 8-26 start in 2005, 5-20 start in 2006 and the 11-26 start in 2007 that have haunted the Royals in each of the last four seasons. Guillen faces an early suspension and K.C. faces teams that won at least 88 games last year in 10 of their first 16 games. Another ugly start in 2008 will likely be the case as the Royals have to settle for the last spot in the AL Central Division once again. K.C. will give the Twins and White Sox a run for their money, but we feel the hole they dig early will be too much to overcome in 2008.

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

2008 Kansas City Royals Odds:
Odds to win AL Central: 50/1
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant: 100/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 200/1

American League Central