As the Royals look to rebound after a dismal 2006 campaign, their fans might have more optimism than the organization itself does.
Media consultants for the team have predicted a Royal turnaround in 2008. Their reasoning for this prediction lies with the idea that big-time prospects Alex Gordon and Billy Butler, among others, will have developed enough in the minor leagues to make the jump into the majors.
Those predictions are wrong for two reasons. First off, the team seems truly inspired at the chance to right the ship, so why should the administration send off negative vibes before the season has even begun?
Secondly, the time for a Royal turnaround is here and now. The organization wisely predicted that Kansas City’s prospects need more time to develop and will be able to make an impact in the future. I agree with that idea, but those players can’t solely resurrect a franchise that has had only one winning season since 1993, especially because neither of them can pitch.
Royals General Manager Dayton Moore completely reworked the pitching staff this off-season, and he was smart to do so. The Royals pitchers combined for the worst earned run average in the MLB in 2006. So Moore recognized the need for change and signed many free agent pitchers, hoping some of them would step up and earn spots on the staff. The free agents were brought in to make an immediate impact because they are seasoned ball players. And yet many are predicting it will take more than a season for the Royals to become a successful team. Since when have veteran free agents been allowed a year or two to get things going?
It was obvious the franchise couldn’t bring in any top players because the Royals are in the small market category, but they did their best to scout, evaluate and bring in guys who they think can create a winning atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium.
So now we fans must rely on a bunch of new faces on the pitching staff to make this summer exciting. The Detroit Tigers had a come-from-nowhere season a year ago and ended up in the World Series, providing proof that every team has a chance. To quote the movie “Angels In The Outfield,” “Hey, it could happen.”