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Last year the Tampa Rays caught fire and unexpectedly won the AL East, can a similar young team win the weaker AL Central? Come on in and see what Greg and KC Blogger Craig Brown think about those chances.

The Kansas City Royals

Last Season’s Result: 75-87, 4th Place in the AL Central.

Major Offseason Changes

• Added 1B Mike Jacobs (Traded from Florida)
• Added RP Juan Cruz (Signed from Arizona)
• Added RP Kyle Farnsworth (Signed from Detroit)
• Added SP Horacio Ramirez (Signed from Chicago White Sox)
• Added CF Coco Crisp (Trade from Boston)
• Lost RP Ramon Ramirez (Traded to Boston)
• Lost RP Leo Nunez (Traded to Florida)
• Lost CF Joey Gathright (Signed with Chicago Cubs)
• Lost 2B Mark Grudzielanek (Unsigned Free Agent)

Letter Grades

• Offseason Moves: B- The Royals were pretty aggressive in this offseason, making a real attempt to upgrade their bullpen after giving up Leo Nunez for Mike Jacobs. I don’t love Farnsworth, but I love that they were willing to spend money now that their younger talent appears ready to step up and contend.

• Rotation Grade: C+ I like this rotation a little bit. They may lack a true number one guy, but they do have a trio of solid arms in Meche, Greinke, and Davies. They just need to get something from the handful of guys who may spend time as the team’s #4 and 5.

• Bullpen Grade: C- Joakim Soria was dominant in 2008, and he has new setup men for ’09. If Juan Cruz continues to be as effective as he was in the NL west, then these guys may have something.

• Lineup Grade: D+ This group struggled to score for much of 2008. The addition of Coco Crisp should help, as will the maturing of their young sluggers. Neither of those things are likely to move this group anywhere higher than league average.

Player most closely linked to team’s 2009 hopes: Coco Crisp. It appears Coco will hit leadoff this season, and thus, the offense goes through him. If Crisp ever learns to improve his eye just slightly he could push his OBP to nearly .400 and the Royals would have something cooking. If he continues to strike out twice as often as he walks, then Royals will be decent when he’s hot, and poor when Crisp isn’t.

Biggest Breakout Star Potential: I’m going to say Joakim Soria, even though he’s already been an all star and even though he already broke out in 2008. The problem is nobody knows who he is in National League cities. That will change after another killer year closing out games.

Best Case Scenario: Nobody wins 90 games in the Central, and the Royals get decent enough starting pitching to stay around .500 and competitive all season.

Worst Case Scenario: Same thing as every summer, not enough hitting meets not enough pitching, and they end up in last place.

Prediction for 2009: 81-81. 3rd Place in the AL Central.

Local Thoughts

By: Craig Brown of Royals Authority

• Letter Grade for Offseason Moves: Grade: C- The Cruz and Crisp additions serve to balance the Jacobs and Farnsworth deals. The Ramirez signing makes no sense considering they're going to put him in the rotation. I'm not sure what the Bloomquist signing was all about either. Unfortunately, you're asking me this question before the regular season. If Jacobs plays everyday and they attempt to use Farnsworth in high leverage situations out of the bullpen and if they keep Ramirez in the rotation for a couple of months, the C becomes a D.

• Most Essential: Alex Gordon. The Royals need offense in a bad way and Gordon is the guy they've been counting on to provide it. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown much in his two years. Year three is pivotal.

• Breakout Potential: I'm not sure it qualifies as a breakout, but I think Billy Butler will hit around .300/.360/.450. Actually, yeah... That's a breakout.

• Prediction for 2009: I'm thinking 76 wins which would represent a one win improvement from 2008. In this year's AL Central, that's good for 3rd place.

Thanks again to Craig, and I'll see you guys tomorrow when we'll be live from frigid Minnesota.