Two years ago, Zach Greinke had just won the Cy Young Award. His future in Kansas City appeared bright. With a talented general manager, Dayton Moore, building a deep farm system and Greinke leading a young major league level team, it seemed like there could be some success in 2010.
But instead, the Royals were well, the Royals, and fell well under .500 again, finishing the season at 67-95.
In the 2010 off-season, Moore decided it was time for a change.
Seeing a chance to continue to build for the future, Moore decided to trade Greinke, getting back talented young shortstop Alcides Escobar, former top prospect and MLB-ready pitcher Jeremy Jeffress, a youthful outfielder Lorenzo Cain and a potential future-ace, Jake Odiorizzi.
Baseball America named the Royals farm system No. 1 in the league, and that was before Odiorizzi, the Brewers top prospect, joined the team.
Jeff Francoeur, a player Moore is familiar with from his time in Atlanta Braves, signed as a free agent. And top prospects Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas appeared ready to make an impact.
It is now the end of Spring Training. It is March 31. The 2011 baseball season is about to begin.
This is the story of the 2011 Kansas City Royals, their general manager Dayton Moore, manager Ned Yost and the fans who have been waiting for more than two decades to see their team relevant once again.
The story will be told through the eyes of Tom Avery, a young newspaper reporter, who has just been hired to write for the fictional Kansas City Post.
At times, other characters, from Moore to Yost to players like Alex Gordon and Luke Hochevar will help tell the story.
Can the 2011 Royals become the Kings of Kauffman, or will they fall short once again. Enjoy the ride...