It's going to be another interesting year in the Kansas City Royals organization. They'll be fighting for last place in the AL Central with the Cleveland Indians once again. They don't seem to have the payroll to pick up any big names during the off-season and it shows. RHP Jeff Francis was acquired from Colorado in free-agency. OF Jeff Francoeur and INF Wilson Betemit were also brought in to try and pick up some slack.
Ned Yost begins his second season in command in Kansas City. With a dismal 55-72 after taking over the Royals' reigns on May 13, 2010, Yost will do what he can with what he's got, and that's not a whole lot to deal with to be honest. From 2003-2008, Yost was the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, leading them to winning seasons in his final two. He had a record of 457-502 in those six seasons in Milwaukee and has a career record of 512-574.
Newcomer Jeff Francis will jump into the starting rotation and be the ace of the Royals staff. Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro and Sean O'Sullivan will round out the rest of the pitching rotation.
Aside from Closer Joakim Soria, middle relief is going to be a challenge for Kansas City. Blake Wood, Jesse Chavez, Kanekoa Texeira, Greg Holland and Robinson Tejada make up what should be an interesting group of relief pitchers that will be relied on for a lot of innings throughout the season.
The starting lineup could use some work, but that's the case for the Kansas City Royals ever season really. Alex Gordon, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Francoeur and Billy Butler will be counted on to produce a lot of hits and drive in a lot of runs, because it might be a stretch to get production from anywhere else in the Kansas City lineup.
C Jason Kendall
1B Kila Ka'aihue
2B Chris Getz
SS Alcides Escobar
3B Mike Aviles
LF Alex Gordon
CF Melky Cabrera
RF Jeff Francoeur
DH Billy Butler
AL Central prediction: 4th or 5th (coin flip with Cleveland, haha!)
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