Kansas City Royals 2005 Season Preview

By Dean Swanton

The Royals are expecting big things from Mike Sweeney in 2005

The 2004 version of the Kansas City Royals proved that like many other sports, baseball is a funny and sometimes cruel game. After surprising the baseball world in 2003 by contending almost the entire season (83-79) in the weak American League Central, the Royals added a few key veterans last winter such as Juan Gonzalez and Benito Santiago and were setting their sights on a division crown and their first trip back to the playoffs since 1985. After beginning the season with a dramatic comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox, capped by a Carlos Beltran game winning home run, the Royals went on to lose 104 games. Needless to say things did not go as planned.

It probably did not help the Royals that they were distracted from the very start of the season as to what was going to happen to their best player, Carlos Beltran. It became pretty clear early on that he would be dealt and General Manger Allard Baird was under the gun to get some good young prospects in return. Long before the trade deadline Baird hooked up with the Astros and A's in a three team deal and wound up with third baseman Mark Teahen and right-hander Mike Wood from Oakland and catcher John Buck from Houston. Baird is hoping that these three players play key roles in returning the Royals to respectability.

The Royals will be counting heavily on Zack Greinke who showed promise after his call up from Omaha. The right-hander throws in the mid 90's and has an array of other pitches and very good control. (26 BB/145 INN)

The Royals have brought back the popular Jose Lima who had a solid season in Los Angeles going 13-5. Lima is a character and brings a colorful presence to the mound and also in the dugout.

Lefthander Brian Anderson is back for his second full season with the Royals after a disastrous 2004 season. After winning a combined 14 games with the Indians and Royals in 2003, Anderson found himself on the hill as the Royals opening day starter and it turned out to be an honor he was not worthy of. Anderson finished the season with a disappointing record of 6-12 and a 5.64 ERA. The Royals will be counting on the crafty lefty for a much greater contribution this coming season.

The rest of the rotation will be up for grabs in the spring with Jimmy Gobble more than likely being penciled into one of those spots. Gobble started the season at Omaha and managed to win 9 games after a promotion to the big club early in the season. Runelvys Hernandez and Kyle Snyder, two pitchers who missed the entire 2004 season due to injury will also compete for a spot on the back end of the rotation.

The Royals will sport a collection of non-household names in middle relief with hopes that they can hold or gain a lead to send out former all star closer Mike MacDougal to set up closer Jeremy Affeldt.

The Royals infield will have a different look in a couple of spots. John Buck who finished the season as the regular catcher will be behind the dish on opening day. The likelihood at third base is that Teahen will start the season in the minors and until he is ready for prime time the hot corner will be manned by Chris Truby who hit .300 at class AAA Nashville in the Pirates organization in 2004 and has 263 games of major league experience. Veterans Mike Sweeney and Ken Harvey will once again share the 1B/DH roles. The Royals are hoping that Sweeney can finally stay healthy an entire season and put up the big numbers they were hoping for when they signed him to a lucrative long-term deal. There are already whispers that Sweeney could be on the trading block but with a contract that pays him 11 million dollars annually for the next three seasons and a history of back problems the reality of that happening is unlikely. Second base will be Tony Graffanino's job to lose. Graffanino missed several games due to injury in his first season in Kansas City. Angel Berroa followed up his AL Rookie of the Year campaign in 2003 with a horrible season. He struggled early on both offensively and defensively and it got so bad for Berroa that he was demoted briefly to AA Wichita. Berroa will be expected to return to his earlier form and along with Teahen provide the Royals with a strong left side of the infield for years to come.

The outfield will be anchored in center field by David DeJesus. Taking the place of Carlos Beltran was no easy task but DeJesus was impressive in the 96 games that he appeared in for the Royals. Terrence Long comes over from Oakland and will patrol right field. Aaron Guiel spent the majority of last season on the shelf with eye problems. If he is healthy he should start the season in left field although Eli Marrero who was acquired from the Braves could have a say in that. Matt Stairs will also see playing time in the outfield and should get plenty of at bats as a pinch hitter.

Manager Tony Pena will have his work cut out for him in 2005. The Royals will undoubtedly be taking a look at young prospects throughout the season and the losses are sure to mount. With the Detroit Tigers spending lavishly to improve themselves and the Cleveland Indians likely showing improvements after a rebuild, the Royals will probably find themselves at the bottom of the division looking up.

Questions or comments swanny@hockeymail.com