The Royal Treatment

Kansas City Royals 2007 Record: 69-93 (5th in AL Central)
2008 Prediction: 5th in AL Central

In

• Jose Guillen (SEA) - signed to a 3 year, $36 million contract - 12/6/07
  
• Brett Tomko (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $3 million contract - 1/21/08
  
• Yasuhiko Yabuta (Japan) - signed to a 2 year, $6 million contract - 11/28/07
  
• Miguel Olivo (FLA) - signed to a 1 year contract - 12/27/07
  
• Ron Mahay (TEX) - signed to a 2 year, $8 million contract - 12/20/07
  
• Alberto Callaspo (ARI) - acquired for Billy Buckner - 12/14/07
  
• Chin-hui Tsao (LAD) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/31/07
  
• Brian Lawrence (NYM) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/18/08
  

Out

• Billy Buckner (ARI) - traded for Alberto Callapso - 12/14/07
  
• Jason LaRue (STL) - signed to a 1 year, $850,000 contract - 11/19/07
  
• David Riske (MIL) - signed to a 3 year, $13 million contract with a $4.75 million option for 2011 - 12/5/07
  
• Emil Brown (OAK) - signed to a 1 year, $1.45 million contract - 1/11/08
• Mike Sweeney (OAK) - signed to a minor league contract - 2/11/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Reggie Sanders
  
• John Thomson
  
• Odalis Perez
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - John Buck/Miguel Olivo
1B - Ross Gload
2B - Mark Grudzielanek
3B - Alex Gordon
SS - Tony Pena/Esteban German
LF - Mark Teahen
CF - David DeJesus
RF - Jose Guillen
DH - Billy Butler

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Gil Meche
Brian Bannister
Brett Tomko
Zack Greinke
Kyle Davies/Jorge De La Rosa/Luke Hudson

Projected Opening Day Closer
Joakim Soria

Improvements: Guillen will give the Royals a proven power bat with a gun for an arm in right field. And he'll only be 32 in May. As long as he is able to cool his temper a bit, and stay healthy, there's no reason not to expect at least 25-30 homeruns from him. The team also brought in Japanese right-handed reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta, and he will likely be the Royals' primary set-up man, along with Ron Mahay - the lefty was signed to a 2-year contract by the Royals. They also added veteran Brett Tomko to their rotation. Tomko adds a nice touch of experience to an otherwise young rotation.
Lack of improvement: The Royals seem to be lacking at their shortstop position. Former Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa has been reduced to a part-time player (at Triple-A Omaha too). And Tony Pena hit .267 and had 47 RBI to go along with a dismal .284 OBP in 2007, his first season in the big leagues.
Keys to success: Again, the Royals are chocked full of young bats and arms. If the team wants to make any waves in the AL Central, these youngsters are going to have to show poise beyond their age and prove they are indeed ready to be playing in the MLB. Once they do that, the Royals should be a team destined for greatness...but perhaps 2 or 3 years down the road.