Last season, Odalis Perez and Jorge De La Rosa were among the starters, and the rotation's 4.88 earned run average ranked 11th in the American League.
Bannister won 12 games as a rookie and Meche, who is in the second year of a five-year, $55 million contract, should have had more than nine victories, but the Kansas City offense usually took the day off when he started.
The bullpen was a strength last year but has been revamped with the departures of David Riske via free agency, Octavio Dotel via trade at the July trade deadline and Greinke and Bale to the rotation.
The 2008 bullpen will include newcomers Yasuhiko Yabuta, a 12-year Japan League veteran, and Ron Mahay, a veteran left-hander. Though neither newcomer has had good results this spring, they still are penciled in to set up closer Joakim Soria, who logged 17 saves as a rookie.
The punchless 2007 offense, which ranked last in the American League in home runs, should be improved with the addition of Jose Guillen to the cleanup spot. Guillen, however, faces a 15-day suspension at the start of the season for allegedly purchasing HGH and steroids, which he is appealing.
Alex Gordon, who hit down in the order as a rookie, will start the season as the No. 3 hitter, batting in front of Guillen. Gordon started slowly but recovered to establish a Royals rookie record with 55 extra-base hits.
If the Royals are going to climb out of the American League Central basement -- a position they've held the last four years -- and become a contender, they will need marked improvements from Mark Teahen, who hit only seven home runs in 2007 after hitting 18 the previous year; David DeJesus, whose average dipped from .293 the previous two years to .260 in 2007; and John Buck, who faded to a .222 average after a good start.
Billy Butler, 21, has a potent bat and primarily will be the designated hitter. The Royals tried him at first base in March, but his lack of range foiled those plans.
Trey Hillman, who managed the previous five years in Japan, replaces Buddy
Bell in the dugout.
PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON RHP Gil Meche has looked sharp in spring training and did not allow more than three runs in his final 10 starts last year. He is looking more and more like a true ace.
ON THE DECLINE LHP Jorge De La Rosa continues to battle control and command issues. He appears to have lost his spot in the rotation and is out of options. If he fails to get the fifth rotation slot, the Royals must think twice about whether they want to try him as a reliever.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
The Sportsline MLB rumor page says the Royals might make a run at Kyle Farnsworth to fill one of the holes in thebullpen created by recent trades.
Kyle has a quality arm and has local ties but he made nearly 6 million last season. I would hope, if we do sign him, that it would be for much less considering
Does anybody think that the Royals would trade one of our extra outfielders to get Jason Bartlett? Getting him would be a huge plus. Mike Aviles could move to second. I know, the bullpen is Dayton's top
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