Two-a-day previews continue with a pair of entries that have established very definite tendencies over the last several seasons. One hasn’t won in ages, the other is in the hunt every season.
The Kansas City Royals haven’t been relevant for many moons. A combination of an unwillingness to spend money, along with what can only be described as a bizarre front office mindset has seen what was once a great franchise turn into an annual laughingstock. The Royals did manage to finally vacate the AL Central cellar last year, however, and they seem to finally be inching toward respectability.
This team will definitely not be the 2009 version of last year’s Tampa Bay Rays. The Royals could make a push toward .500, but they’re not yet a good baseball team. But at least there’s now some hope for their long suffering fans. Kansas City was aggressive in the off season, and while I didn’t like all of their moves, I think the net result should be positive.
Coco Crisp arrives from Boston to shore up center field and hit leadoff. Crisp should be excited about returning to a mostly everyday role and while he’s not a star, he’s solid and will be a plus defender. Mike Aviles raised eyebrows everywhere with his sensational rookie campaign. I don’t see Aviles performing at quite that high a level this season, but he won’t fall off the map, either. David DeJesus will play mostly left field and while he lacks the power numbers that position usually needs to produce, DeJesus puts the ball in play and gets on base. The Royals are hoping Jose Guillen can play 140 games and not unravel in the process. Alex Gordon is the key to the team. He has fallen way short of the hype in his first two years as a regular and needs to step forward this season. Ditto for Billy Butler, who I actually think will be the most productive KC hitter. Mike Jacobs is the one pure power hitter in the lineup, but I did not like this acquisition. Jacobs can mash, but he’s a very poor OBP performer and he can’t catch a cold. Miguel Olivo will do most of the catching. The Royals are hoping Mark Teahen can transition to yet another new position, this time at 2B. Albert Callaspo is currently listed as the keystone starter, but Teahen has had a huge camp and KC needs to get his bat in the lineup.
The top of the Kansas City rotation is fine. Gil Meche and Zack Greinke are a solid duo that could easily win 30 games if they get a little help. The rest of the rotation is less impressive. I’m not at all sold on Luke Hochevar, Brian Bannister hits too many bats and Kyle Davies just isn’t a big league quality starter. But if the Royals can take leads into the late innings, they’re in good shape. Joakim Soria has become an elite closer and I really like the Juan Cruz acquisition. The rest of the pen is patchwork and what they’re paying Kyle Farnsworth is ridiculous. I’d like to see Carlos Rosa get a shot at some meaningful innings in long relief and have him listed as a possible sleeper.
The Royals are gradually improving the system and they now have four legit prospects who have a chance to become solid regulars or more. Mike Moustakas may still not be settled on a position, but the Royals will find a place for him once he’s ready. Eric Hosmer will eventually be the prototype #3 hitter the Royals presently lack. Daniel Cortes is now healthy and progressing nicely, and should be in the KC rotation by next year. Mike Montgomery is their best southpaw prospect in years.
Kansas City still figures as an also-ran, but they’re no
longer an embarrassment to their fans. I have the Royals winning 77
games this season, and they should manage to avoid the cellar in the AL
Central.
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The Los Angeles Angels
look like they’re down a bit from last season. But they’re
still the team to beat in the AL West. But while the Halos still appear
to be best in the west, the rest of division is catching up and the
sand in the hourglass is getting pretty thin for some of their long
time stars.
The one big addition is Bobby Abreu, who no longer fits the ideal profile for a #3 hitter, but he’s still a good producer. Chone Figgins and Howie Kendrick are good table setters and even a fading Vlad Guerrero is still a threat at all times. Torii Hunter is a tremendous defender and he’s a major asset in the clubhouse. The Angels clearly overpaid for Hunter, as he’s not a superstar, but he’s far from the weakest 5-hole hitter in the league. Mike Napoli won’t hit for average, but may very well lead the team in homers. Kendry Morales is having a very good spring and there are suddenly some very lofty expectations for the Cuban import. I’m taking more of a wait and see attitude with Morales. Gary Matthews was awful last year and figured to be a benchwarmer if the Angels didn’t trade him, but a big spring might be altering those plans somewhat. The Halos are hoping the Juan Rivera can get back to his 2007 standards now that he’s healthy. I really like the #9 spot in the order if manager Mike Scioscia goes mostly with Erick Aybar. Aybar and Figgins could combine for 60 steals. Maicer Izturis will play all over the infield and is an invaluable contributor. Brando Wood has not come close to fulfilling expectations yet but the tools are still there. If he ever gets it together, Wood could change the look of this lineup.
The rotation is always a source of strength and right now the only worry is health as both John Lackey and Ervin Santana have been dinged up this spring. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders are a rock solid 3-4, and Kelvim Escobar is way ahead of schedule and could be back in the rotation by May. Hot prospect Nick Adenhart’s stock dropped some last season, but he’s having a big camp and might be ready to take his place on this staff.
The bullpen no longer has bellwether Francisco Rodriguez on hand to finish off games, but I don’t think the Angels will have problems in that area. Brian Fuentes was a very good acquisition. Scot Shields has slipped a bit from where he used to be, but Shields is a savvy veteran who can setup or occasionally close. Jose Arredondo was amazing last season and while he’s unlikely to duplicate his ‘08 stats, he should be fine. The rest of the pen is so-so, however, and long relief could be a problem.
The worry right now is the health of the pitching staff. The worry down the road is that the Angels top prospects have yet to deliver at the top level and they’re in a transition mode right now on the farm. But even if the Halos may be down a tad, they still look to be the strongest entry in the AL West. The A’s already took a big hit with the loss of Justin Duchscherer, the Rangers still can’t pitch and the Mariners are in a complete overhaul mode. So I have LA on top by default even if they’re down a little from past entries. I’ll peg the Angels for right around 90 wins and expect them to claim another divisional crown.
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