Winston-Salem, NC – We’ll continue the Wednesday trend of covering a specific baseball team. At the beginning the year, the toughest division to predict was the American League Central. “One of those four teams will finish fourth,” said one AL GM. While the White Sox are experiencing their hangover season from a recent World Series, they currently are the easy choice amongst the Tigers, Indians, Twins, and themselves for that fourth spot. Not so fast! The rebuilding Kansas City Royals are 22-18 in their last 40 games. The best move that the Royals made occured last year when owner David Glass hired GM Dayton Moore, a branch off of the John Schuerholz tree. Unlike his predecessor, Allard Baird, Moore understands the meaning of rebuilding; “brick-by-brick” he often mutters. Frivolous free agent spending on over-the-hill veterans (see the 2000-present Orioles) won’t fix your team instantly. Baseball isn’t the NFL in this department. While the Tigers are the ultimate rags-to-riches story, they underwent several horrific seasons from 2001-2003. At best, unwise spending can give you a sliver of hope before it fades away, as the Royals experienced in 2003. The 2003 season (83-79) was not a stepping stone for the Royals, but rather a step back in the development process. At the trading deadline, they amassed too many pricey veterans rather than focusing on the long term goal.
The Royals have some pieces to the puzzle. Alex Gordon, the 2005 1st round pick, wants to be in Kansas City because it’s his hometown team. Gordon started off slowly, but has picked it up since mid-June. Mark Teahan is a Nick Markakis-type outfielder: medium power, high average, some steals, and solid defense. Billy Butler, the Adam Dunn of the Royals, is a legitimate power threat. John Buck, acquired in the Beltran deal in 2004, is finally living up to his potential behind the dish. The Royals bullpen has been stellar recently. Joakim Soria, a future closer, and Zach Greinke have improved tremendously. While their current closer, Octavio Dotel, may be dealt at the deadline, he has provided an example to the rest of the bullpen that has kept KC in tight ballgames. Not to mention, a deal that I thought would be an albatross for the Royals, was the signing of Gil Meche. Meche has earned every penny of his landmark deal. I use "landmark" here to indicate that penny pincher owner David Glass finally spent some of his revenue sharing bucks on a player. Kudos to Moore for spending it on the right player.
I remember talking to a member of the Emory baseball team (from LA) a couple of years ago at the pool when the Cubs acquired Karros and Grudzielanek for Hundley and Hermansen from the Dodgers. I trusted his opinion when he told me that Grudzielanek was the best player in that trade. “Grud” has proven to be an invaluable leader on the Royals’ roster. I look for him to stay with the Royals, rather than be traded to a contender at the deadline, because his style and mentorship is that important to KC.
The Royals have some pieces to the puzzle. Alex Gordon, the 2005 1st round pick, wants to be in Kansas City because it’s his hometown team. Gordon started off slowly, but has picked it up since mid-June. Mark Teahan is a Nick Markakis-type outfielder: medium power, high average, some steals, and solid defense. Billy Butler, the Adam Dunn of the Royals, is a legitimate power threat. John Buck, acquired in the Beltran deal in 2004, is finally living up to his potential behind the dish. The Royals bullpen has been stellar recently. Joakim Soria, a future closer, and Zach Greinke have improved tremendously. While their current closer, Octavio Dotel, may be dealt at the deadline, he has provided an example to the rest of the bullpen that has kept KC in tight ballgames. Not to mention, a deal that I thought would be an albatross for the Royals, was the signing of Gil Meche. Meche has earned every penny of his landmark deal. I use "landmark" here to indicate that penny pincher owner David Glass finally spent some of his revenue sharing bucks on a player. Kudos to Moore for spending it on the right player.
I remember talking to a member of the Emory baseball team (from LA) a couple of years ago at the pool when the Cubs acquired Karros and Grudzielanek for Hundley and Hermansen from the Dodgers. I trusted his opinion when he told me that Grudzielanek was the best player in that trade. “Grud” has proven to be an invaluable leader on the Royals’ roster. I look for him to stay with the Royals, rather than be traded to a contender at the deadline, because his style and mentorship is that important to KC.
Attendance is slowing increasing this year with the rosier outlook. A college friend, who has lived in KC for the last three years, reported the attendance boost to me last month. I fully expect that the Royals will be a “player” in the 2009 season. They have hired the right man for the job in Moore. It would be very uplifting if the Royals were able to not finish in last this season. Mark my words – the Royals are finally a team on the rise.
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