pmeares17
02-12-2002, 02:23 PM
see paul byrds putting it together so all of you who wouldnt trade me for him :mad: can stick it
JOB OPENINGS
There'll be a pretty good slugfest for spots in the pitching rotation. Only righthanders Jeff Suppan and Paul Byrd appear locked in.
Suppan hasn't missed a start because of injury for three years. Byrd developed an effective screwball last year as he returned quickly from shoulder surgery.
Jose Rosado, out nearly two seasons with an ailing shoulder, must prove he is healthy.
Chris George, 22, should secure a spot if he doesn't fall flat in spring training. If Rosado and George leave a gap, Darrell May has been signed out of Japan.
Chad Durbin made 29 starts last season and has the edge over Dan Reichert, a likely bullpen resident.
Blake Stein and Kris Wilson were part-time starters last season and will be in the midst of the hunt.
Although Mike MacDougal might benefit from more time with Class AAA Omaha, a sharp spring could vault him ahead of the pack.
MacDougal is seen as a No. 1 starter in the making. And don't overlook two non-roster righthanders, Bryan Rekar and Mac Suzuki, both flameouts last year.
Rekar, from the Devil Rays, and Suzuki, an ex-Royals starter, provide backup insurance. Miguel Asencio, the youngest candidate at 21, will get a look because he is a Rule 5 draft choice from the Phillies. There's also long-shot lefthander Jeremy Affeldt, up from Wichita.
If you're counting, that's 14 pitchers and a busy spring for coach Al Nipper.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Carlos Febles has lagged behind in his "Dos Carlos" billing with Carlos Beltran. Injuries have dogged the peppery, promising Febles and kept him from fulfilling expectations.
His aggressive fielding and baserunning have led to a variety of ailments in the last three seasons, including a torn knee ligament last year when he collided with Jermaine Dye at Yankee Stadium.
So he has never been completely whole -- too bad because in the last two years the Royals have been 80-86 with Febles in the lineup, 62-96 without him.
Febles is excellent on the double play and has good range. At the plate, he has pop (eight homers in 79 games last season) and is a fine bunter. He was promoted late in 1998 after hitting .326 for Class AA Wichita but he has averaged just .254 for the Royals. Now if he can stay in one piece, he should make a big difference.
INJURY UPDATE
The major focus will be on Rosado's left shoulder, object of surgery in each of the last two years. Rosado surprised the Royals' brass with his progress this winter so much that they brought him back at his same $3.25-million salary.
Rosado's 3.85 ERA in 33 starts in 1999 indicates how good he can be when healthy
Mike Sweeney's right achilles, which troubled him most of last season, is reportedly healed.
MacDougal, who suffered a fractured skull when struck in the dugout by an errant bat, has recovered.
Righthander Shawn Sonnier will miss spring training because arm surgery.
Rookie first baseman Ken Harvey sat out winter ball because of foot surgery, but is ready to go.
Righthander Kyle Snyder, a first-round draft choice, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2000 and didn't pitch last year, but will be in camp.
Righthander Orber Moreno, who also underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2000, is back after a successful showing in the minors.
BURNING QUESTION
Who'll be the shortstop -- Neifi Perez or rookie Angel Berroa?
Perez carries a hefty salary and Berroa is deemed ready. If Perez shows his thumb surgery was a success, he will probably be traded. He won a Gold Glove with the Rockies and might draw more interest from NL teams.
JOB OPENINGS
There'll be a pretty good slugfest for spots in the pitching rotation. Only righthanders Jeff Suppan and Paul Byrd appear locked in.
Suppan hasn't missed a start because of injury for three years. Byrd developed an effective screwball last year as he returned quickly from shoulder surgery.
Jose Rosado, out nearly two seasons with an ailing shoulder, must prove he is healthy.
Chris George, 22, should secure a spot if he doesn't fall flat in spring training. If Rosado and George leave a gap, Darrell May has been signed out of Japan.
Chad Durbin made 29 starts last season and has the edge over Dan Reichert, a likely bullpen resident.
Blake Stein and Kris Wilson were part-time starters last season and will be in the midst of the hunt.
Although Mike MacDougal might benefit from more time with Class AAA Omaha, a sharp spring could vault him ahead of the pack.
MacDougal is seen as a No. 1 starter in the making. And don't overlook two non-roster righthanders, Bryan Rekar and Mac Suzuki, both flameouts last year.
Rekar, from the Devil Rays, and Suzuki, an ex-Royals starter, provide backup insurance. Miguel Asencio, the youngest candidate at 21, will get a look because he is a Rule 5 draft choice from the Phillies. There's also long-shot lefthander Jeremy Affeldt, up from Wichita.
If you're counting, that's 14 pitchers and a busy spring for coach Al Nipper.
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Carlos Febles has lagged behind in his "Dos Carlos" billing with Carlos Beltran. Injuries have dogged the peppery, promising Febles and kept him from fulfilling expectations.
His aggressive fielding and baserunning have led to a variety of ailments in the last three seasons, including a torn knee ligament last year when he collided with Jermaine Dye at Yankee Stadium.
So he has never been completely whole -- too bad because in the last two years the Royals have been 80-86 with Febles in the lineup, 62-96 without him.
Febles is excellent on the double play and has good range. At the plate, he has pop (eight homers in 79 games last season) and is a fine bunter. He was promoted late in 1998 after hitting .326 for Class AA Wichita but he has averaged just .254 for the Royals. Now if he can stay in one piece, he should make a big difference.
INJURY UPDATE
The major focus will be on Rosado's left shoulder, object of surgery in each of the last two years. Rosado surprised the Royals' brass with his progress this winter so much that they brought him back at his same $3.25-million salary.
Rosado's 3.85 ERA in 33 starts in 1999 indicates how good he can be when healthy
Mike Sweeney's right achilles, which troubled him most of last season, is reportedly healed.
MacDougal, who suffered a fractured skull when struck in the dugout by an errant bat, has recovered.
Righthander Shawn Sonnier will miss spring training because arm surgery.
Rookie first baseman Ken Harvey sat out winter ball because of foot surgery, but is ready to go.
Righthander Kyle Snyder, a first-round draft choice, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2000 and didn't pitch last year, but will be in camp.
Righthander Orber Moreno, who also underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2000, is back after a successful showing in the minors.
BURNING QUESTION
Who'll be the shortstop -- Neifi Perez or rookie Angel Berroa?
Perez carries a hefty salary and Berroa is deemed ready. If Perez shows his thumb surgery was a success, he will probably be traded. He won a Gold Glove with the Rockies and might draw more interest from NL teams.