Do you think The Royals will be better in 2008?

Question

I see Dayton Moore doing things he needs to do to make KC a contender once again. I know it will take a few years, but I honestly think KC will be a force to be reckoned with.

How do you see the AL Cental panning out in 2008? I think the division winner would win 90 games and the rest of that division being very close behind.

I know it is still early to tell, but I see a battle all season long with Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota. KC will surprise many of us and could very well finish in 3rd?

Your thoughts?

The Twins may be without Hunter, but remember they have Liaraino coming back.

Answer 1

In terms of wins and loses, probably. However I don't see them making very much noise in the division. Without going into the nuts and bolts of each roster, I'd have to say that it's any ones division with the exception of KC.

The Tigers pretty much got done what they wanted. They need a stopper. It they can land someone of consequence they will be in the thick of the race.

The Indians really don't need to do much of anything. They just need to stay healthy. The White Sox and Twins are probably a peg lower than the Indians and Tigers but it should still be an exciting 2008. Edge to Detroit.

Answer 2

The Royals have some good young players but I wouldn't expect much improvement over last year. They are in a very tough division and have to play the majority of their games against those teams. They definitely have to make some moves and get some good veteran talent. I dont know how many great players want to go to K.C. though. There are people living in K.C. that are of drinking age and have not seen the Royals in the playoffs. How many winning years have they had since 1985? Two, Three? It will be tough to attract star players until they see K.C. as a real contender.

I think the AL central is between Cleveland, Detroit and White Sox. I would think all 3 could win more than 90. Minnesota still has pretty good pitching but they might have taken a step back recently (just lost Hunter). K.C. needs to make some moves to catch up.

Answer 3

OK, they're not going to win the World Series in 2008 or even make the playoffs but they will be much better than last year and possibly the best Royal team in the last 10 years. I also think that if they keep this team together and don't suffer major health issues, they could build towards wild card contention or a Central crown in a few years. They're building a solid top of a starting rotation with Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Grienke. They are all young and showing signs of being good to great. Meche and Bannister also eat innings and don't walk anybody. Their bullpen is an issue. They're either young, unproven or not very good. Who knows how Yabuta will be? Is Soria a real closer? Will Gobble hold up again and can he pitch the 8th? Mahay will be solid but is that enough? Does a bullpen need three lefties? All questions that will be answered this season. Their offense has potential. They have a catching duo (Buck and Olivo) which will produce runs at a good rate. The infield is in flux but has great potential. 3B Alex Gordon can flat out rake. SS Pena needs to raise his average. Second and first base are just being filled. Blue chip prospect Mike Moustakas might eventually move Gordon to first but that would be good and it could give the Royals very good offense at the corners. As for the outfield, I think that Jose Guillen's presence in the lineup will be a positive, as long as he keeps his head on straight. He'll give you 20-30 HR, 80-100 RBI no problem. Gathright will push DeJesus in center and that's good for both of them. Don't be surprised if Joey G. plays multiple outfield positions this year. Teahan in left needs to refine his approach at the plate. Sure, he can hit .290 but he strikes out too much and doesn't walk enough. I think that the wild card for the offense is Billy Butler. Not only will his performance have a great impact on the lineup as a whole but where does he play? Left? First? DH? It should be interesting. What's most exciting for them is their new manager. He was a highly respected manager in the Yankee system for a decade and did very well in Japan (Go Ham Fighters!!!!). He deserved a shot and he could make an impact on this team as soon as this year. Overall, the Royals are worth watching this year. The offense seems ready to take the next step forward. The starting rotation, if guys behind the top two step up, could be surprisingly good. The bullpen has some veteran presence and that could go a long way. I wouldn't make playoff plans for them if I were you but it'll be a fun year for you. Kansas City is a great baseball town and they deserve a good team.

Answer 4

2008 AL Central
1. Tigers 92-70
2. Indians 88-74
3. Royals 79-83
4. White Sox 77-85
5. Twins 73-89

The Indians may seem like the better team, but I don't expect them to have as good of a season as they did now. Although their team is mostly the same, the players probably won't have as good of seasons, like Paul Byrd, Joe Borowski, Gutierez, and the aging Kenny Lofton. Not only that, but they are bound to have some injuries.

The Tigers won't have a perfect season, but I think they will do good enough, I expect Zumaya to come back and have a decent season. Curtis Granderson will be even better, and possibly Ordonez, if it was possible to do any better.

The Twins have lost Torii Hunter, and likely Johan Santana. They most likely won't recover from this years mediocre season, I expect them to finish last.

The White Sox will be a washed up team, as they have no bullpen, and their hitters have had horrible performances. Cabrera could be a minor lift, but the loss of Garland just makes the pitching worse.

As for the Royals, I think they are a team at the right place at the right time. Their team is becoming more and more promising each season. Signing Yabuta would only make this even more possible. I see this team being a big contender in the near future.

Answer 5

I agree the Royals will do better this year, but are a few years away. Alex Gordon will improve, he's a future all star. They kinda have a Twins theme with scrappy players like Grudzelonik? and Ross Gload who is under rated. Zack Greinke is also a better pitcher than he gets credit for.

I see the Indians and Tigers going down to the wire again. The Twins lost Hunter to the Angels. The White Sox don't have a bullpen.

Answer 6

Kansas City will NEVER be the team they were back in the late 80s.

The reason for this is because KC is considered a small market team which means they don't have the bankroll teams like the Yankees have, so they can't attract the big name players.

Where the Royals really messed up was not allowing George Brett and his investor group to buy the Royals. Brett knows what it takes to put a winning team together. And Dayton Moore isn't the messiah to lead the Royals back to supremacy.

Answer 7

Better? Yes. Good enough to get in the playoffs? No.

Detroit and Cleveland are years ahead, Twins are on the way down, White Sox??? Who knows? Depends on if they bother to show up or not.

1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Chicago
4. Minnesota
5. KC

But the seperation beyween 1 and 2 is almost nothing. And the seperation between 3, 4 and 5 is also almost nothing. Good chance wild card will come from this division.

Answer 8

They will in my opinion win more games I'm guessing at least 75 wins. This season (2007) they were even good spoilers. I think that the battle will be my Indians, Detroit, and possibly Chicago. KC has a chance to get (best case) 3rd place and a better chance at 4th.

Answer 9

As of right now I don't think that they have enough talent to be a contender just yet. With that being said this is how I predict the division to end up:

1) Cleveland
2) Detroit
3) Chicago
4) Minnesota
5) Kansas City

I think that they might win more then people expect but I just don't see them winning enough to bump past anybody just yet. This is a tough division. By the way Happy Thanksgiving Georgie.

Answer 10

AL CENTRAL
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Chicago
4. Kansas City
5. Minnesota