This site is best viewed using Mozilla Firefox browser.

Sports

2012-08-02 11:43:54

What do the Kansas City Royals need to do to become a contender?

A- It seems as if the Kansas City Royals used the “Our Time” slogan at least a year or two early. The Royals have built a strong nucleus of talent through the draft and trades, but it appears they need more help in order to make their first postseason appearance since 1985. Kansas City needs a huge upgrade in the starting pitching rotation and one more power bats in the lineup. The starting rotation is the biggest concern. Left-hander Bruce Chen is a useful veteran who is under contract through 2013, but he is no ace. Chen is better suited as the No. 4 or No. 5 man in the rotation. Luke Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, has displayed flashes but has never lived up to expectations. Hochevar’s performance in the second half of the season should determine how the Royals proceed with the 28-year-old righty. If he pitches well, Hochevar should have the opportunity to earn a spot in the back end of the 2013 rotation. If Hochevar continues to slide, it may be time to cut ties. Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez will no longer be with the team next season, and his departure will be welcomed by Royals fans. The former World Series winner with the San Francisco Giants was acquired in the offseason for outfielder Melky Cabrera. While Sanchez has had the worst season of his career, Cabrera was named MVP of the All-Star Game. Luis Mendoza, Everett Teaford, Vin Mazzaro and Nate Adcock are better suited as long relievers or Triple-A starters. Lefty Danny Duffy and right-hander Felipe Paulino were the Royals’ most successful starters in 2012, before both went down with elbow injuries. It will be at least a year before each pitcher recovers from Tommy John surgery. Minor league pitchers Jake Odorizzi, Will Smith and Ryan Verdugo will have the opportunity to win a spot in the 2013 rotation out of spring training. However, Kansas City needs to bring in a veteran or two to lead the staff. Acquiring those pitchers can come either through free agency or by trading away some of the Royals’ many prospects. Either way, a front-of-the-rotation starter is a must. Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, James Shields, Shaun Marcum, Jake Peavy, Anibal Sanchez, Ryan Dempster and Ervin Santana are among the top free agent pitchers going into next season. There is little to no chance for Hamels to sign with Kansas City as he will command a contract in excess of $100 million. The Royals’ wish list should target Greinke and Marcum at the top. Greinke, who won a Cy Young with Kansas City in 2009, will have a lot of suitors, but he could give the Royals a hometown discount if he believes in the team’s ability to contend. Marcum, who helped Milwaukee reach the NLCS in 2011, is from Excelsior Springs, Mo., and would be an upgrade to anyone on the current staff. In addition to a frontend starter, Kansas City should go after a reclamation project like Santana. The former All-Star could be acquired at a discount. If he can recapture his past success, the Royals will have hit the jackpot. If not, they can give one of their young pitchers an opportunity. If the acquisitions work, Duffy returns at full strength and Odorizzi pans out, the Royals could have a strong rotation heading into 2014. Kansas City also needs another power bat to give the lineup a boost. The good news is the player already is in the Royals’ system. By mid-July, outfielder Wil Myers led the minor leagues with 28 home runs. Myers should be playing in Kansas City before this season is over and is likely to be an opening-day starter in 2013. With Myers, designated hitter Billy Butler, third baseman Mike Moustakas and first baseman Eric Hosmer, the Royals will have four players with 30-home run potential. That’s significant since a Royals player hasn’t hit 30 home runs since Jermaine Dye knocked out 33 in 2000. If the Royals follow this plan, they could make a run in 2013 and have a real shot in 2014.