2009 record: 65-97, fourth in AL Central
Manager: Trey Hillman
Key additions: OF Rick Ankiel OF Scott Podsednik, 2B Chris Getz, 3B Josh Fields, C Jason Kendall
Key losses: IF/OF Mark Teahen, 1B Mike Jacobs, C Miguel Olivo, OF Coco Crisp, C John Buck, RP Jamey Wright
Outlook: The Royals have had six straight losing seasons.
No worries. They have Zack Greinke.
Their attendance figures annually rank among the lowest in the majors.
Not a problem. They have Zack Greinke.
They’ve addressed a three-year decline in offensive production by signing a series of castaways.
Relax. They have Zack Greinke.
In what amounts to a baseball wasteland, Greinke is a beacon of hope, singlehandedly adding a degree of relevancy to the Royals this year.
Before 2009 began, that wasn’t the case. At this time last year, Greinke was just another player patrolling the graveyard and looking to build upon a promising 2008.
Then came what was arguably the best season by a pitcher in franchise history, and suddenly Kansas City was worth talking about. Kauffman Stadium was abuzz when Greinke pitched. The club is even scheduled to appear on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball for the first time since 2006. On July 4, no less.
Greinke won the team’s first Cy Young Award since David Cone in 1994. He was 16-8 and led the AL with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.073 WHIP. His 242 strikeouts were second only to Detroit’s Justin Verlander.
And at 26, the best may be yet to come. Greinke is signed through 2012 and hopes to be around if and when the pieces are ever put in place around him for Kansas City to compete in the AL Central.
It just won’t be this year.
The AL’s 13th-ranked offense added only bit parts in an effort to give guys like Greinke and fellow starters Gil Meche and Luke Hochevar some support. Scott Podsednik will bat leadoff and give the club a little bit of speed. Second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields were brought over in a trade with Chicago. Rick Ankiel is hoping for a rebirth in Missouri’s second baseball town.
It’s an uninspiring group of imports that leaves the onus on the returning players to improve their production and for the team’s one big threat, Billy "Big Donkey" Butler, to build upon a breakout season.
Under one microscope is right fielder Jose Guillen, whose volatile career took another nosedive in 2009 after two stellar seasons. Under another is Alex Gordon, the one-time can’t-miss prospect whose chances of living up to expectations are running out.
Now 26, Gordon saw his production tail off in an injury-plagued season and may begin this one on the disabled list after breaking his thumb earlier this month.
The Royals will continue to struggle to score runs. Every fifth day or so their opponents will, too.
What it means to the Red Sox: Boston was 0-1 against Greinke last year and 5-2 against the rest of the staff. The Sox’ trio of aces is a combined 10-4 with a 2.34 ERA against Kansas City.
Advantage Boston.
