STATE OF THE ROYALS

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UPDATE 1/22/10 - 9:34 AM PST
Just when I think I'm starting to figure out the Royals, they go out and sign Rick Ankiel to be their starting right fielder. The move likely forces Jose Guillen to a DH role, and leaves Alberto Callaspo and Chris Getz fighting for the starting second base job. While Callaspo had a very good offensive season in '09 (.300 BA, 41 2B, 11 HR, 73 RBI), he is considered a below-average defender. This is why I had him projected to be the starting DH. It's hard to take his bat out of the lineup. But why would the team trade away Mark Teahen for two young players with big league experience, Getz and Josh Fields, if neither was expected to become a starter? I have to think that they're not done dealing yet. Maybe Callaspo is dealt? Maybe they eat a big chunk of Guillen's contract and deal him to a team in need of outfield help? I'm guessing there is more to come.

Back to Ankiel. The 30 year-old started his non-pitching big league career with a bang, posting back-to-back .800+ OPS seasons (.863 OPS in '07; .843 OPS in '08) for the Cardinals before putting up some very Mike Jacobs-like numbers in '09 (.672 OPS, 26 BB, 99 K). However, his struggles might have been injury-related (he sustained a shoulder contusion after crashing into a wall in early-May) and if he can bounce back to the player he was in '08, it's a great move at a bargain price ($3.25M in '10, $6M mutual option in '11).

UPDATE 12/10/09 - 10:41 PM PST
The release of DH Mike Jacobs could open up a spot for newly-acquired Josh Fields (.222 BA, 7 HR, 30 RBI in 79 games with CHW in '09), who could play LF or on-base machine Kila Ka'aihue (.392 OBP, 17 HR in AAA), who could DH and fill in occasionally at 1B.

UPDATE 11/22/09 - 6:16 PM PST
LINEUP - The Royals gave up the versatile Mark Teahen for 2B Chris Getz and former prospect Josh Fields, who could fill a similar role for the Royals as Teahen with his ability to play 1B/3B, and LF. The acquisition of Getz (.261 BA, 25 SB) means that Alberto Callaspo (.300 BA, 41 2B, 11 HR, 73 RBI) will be traded, moved to the outfield, or he could be the DH. The current DH, Mike Jacobs, (.228 BA, 19 HR, 132 K) is a non-tender candidate and the team would also love to rid themselves of Jose Guillen (.242 BA, 9 HR in 81 games) but they'd have to eat a substantial portion of the $12M due to him in 2010. CF David DeJesus is coming off of a solid season (.281 BA, 13 HR, 9 3B) but the clear face of the the Royals lineup is 1B Billy Butler after the 23 year-old hit .301 with 21 HR and 51 doubles. The team is hoping another youngster, 3B Alex Gordon, can bounce back from a disappointing season (.232 BA in 49 games) to give Butler some protection in the lineup.

ROTATION - Cy Young award winner Zach Greinke was as good as it gets in 2009, winning 16 games and leading the AL in ERA (2.16 ERA) while striking out 242 batters in 229.1 IP. The rest of the rotation disappointed as Gil Meche (6-10, 5.09 ERA), Luke Hochevar (7-13, 6.55 ERA), Brian Bannister (7-12, 4.73 ERA), and Kyle Davies (8-9, 5.27 ERA) all struggled. Former Braves pitcher Jorge Campillo and former Cardinals pitcher Brad Thompson, both signed recently as minor league free agents, could be in the mix for a rotation spot although both have had more success as relievers. The team's first Round draft pick in '09, Aaron Crow, could move quickly but he has yet to pitch an inning in the minors. Lefties Danny Duffy (9-3, 2.98 ERA in HiA) and Mike Montgomery (6-4, 2.21 ERA between HiA and LoA) are on the fast track but likely won't be ready in 2010.

BULLPEN - As always, closer Joakim Soria was very good (30 Sv, 2.21 ERA), but free agent signees Juan Cruz (5.72 ERA) and Kyle Farnsworth (4.58 ERA) didn't live up to their big contracts. Robinson Tejeda was a bright spot (3.54 ERA, .166 BAA) and Carlos Rosa (4.56 ERA, 80 K in 71 IP at AAA) could be ready to help in 2010. Campillo and Thompson will both be in the mix if they're not starters.