The Kings of Kauffman: The 2011 Kansas City Royals

[CTSoxFan]

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...

[CTSoxFan]

Dayton Moore and Ned Yost meet the media to discuss 2011 Opening Day

Moore, Yost expect big things from 2011 Royals
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY -- Royals General Manager Dayton Moore and Manager Ned Yost would love to see Zack Greinke on the mound on Thursday as the 2011 season begins. But instead, it will be Jeff Francis starting the first game of the Royals season.

The former Colorado Rockies ace, who signed a one-year deal with the Royals earlier this winter, was named the Opening Day starter by Yost as the Royals broke camp. Meanwhile, Greinke will be starting the season on the disabled list. In Milwaukee.

"It's a bit different. We thought Zack could have been the face of this franchise for years to come. But in our situation we have to pounce on opportunities to improve the team for both today and tomorrow," said Moore. "So as much as it pained me, and I know it pained Ned, to see Zack go, it had to be done. But we'll move on. I'm excited about this year."

Yost, 55, starts his second season as the Royals skipper and his eighth as a big league manager.

"Zack might not be here this year, but I'm happy about who is here. That's all I'm thinking about," Yost said at the Wednesday morning news conference. "I think Alicides [Escobar] is going to be an exciting player at the top of our line-up. And Jeff [Francis] has had a lot of success in his career, so I don't think we will be missing much."

Escobar and Francis are just two of the newcomers for Kansas City this season. Joining them are Jeremy Jeffress, a former top pitching prospect who will begin the year in the bullpen and center fielder Melky Cabrera, who signed a one-year deal.

Rookie pitcher Tim Collins will help pave the way to closer Joakim Soria. Another rookie, Greg Holland, earned the fifth-starter spot behind Francis, Hochevar, Bruce Chen and Kyle Davies.

"I'm excited about Tim Collins, he's a guy we got at the trade deadline last year and I think he's a power lefty, that's a rare player these days," said Moore.

Alex Gordon, who split time in Triple-A and Kansas City last year, is back, this time as the starter in left field.

And it will not be long before Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer hit the bigs.

"Eric and Mike are two of the top young players in baseball," said Moore. "We don't want to rush them, but it will be hard to keep them in Triple A very long."

The Royals open up the season on Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels at 4:10 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium.

"I'm just happy Opening Day is finally here," said Yost. "It's never too early to start playing meaningful baseball again."

[CTSoxFan]

Jeff Francis pitches against the Angels on Opening Day.

Francis falters, Royals come up short on Opening Day
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY -- Jeff Francis settled down and retired the last Angels batters that he faced on Thursday afternoon, but by then it was too late.

Kansas City's opening day starter gave up seven earned runs over the first five innings of his first start with his new team, putting the Royals in a hole that couldn't come back from.

The Royals comeback attempt fell short as they lost the first game of the year, 11-8 to the Los Angeles Angels in front of 37,770 fans at Kauffman Stadium.

Francis (0-1, 10.50 ERA) struck out four in his Royals debut. Kansas City was trailing 7-2 when Francis departed and the next pitcher, Kanekoa Texiera, didn't fare any better than his predecessor. Texiera gave up a grand slam to Angels second baseman Maicier Izturis, scoring Alberto Callapso, Vernon Wells and Howie Kendrick to put the Royals down 11-2 after 7 1/2 innings.

Kansas City attempted to mount a comeback against Los Angeles starter Jered Weaver (1-0, ) in the bottom of the seventh. A single by Alices Escobar started off the inning. After Weaver got Chris Getz and Mitch Maier, Escobar scored on a Matt Treanor single. The two-out rally was on from there. Melky Cabrera doubled, Mike Aviles singled to score Treanor, Billy Butler singled and Jeff Francouer, who had already homered earlier in the game, drove in both Aviles and Cabrera, knocking Weaver from the game.

The Angels brought in Jordan Walden, who promptly gave up an RBI-single to Alex Gordon, but then got Escobar to ground-out to end the inning.

The Royals could not cut into the three-run deficit in the final two innings.

Key stats:Jeff Francouer was 3-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBI. Alex Gordon was 1-for-3 with 3 RBI. ... Reliever Sean O'Sullivan pitched two scoreless innings allowing two hits. ... Starter Jeff Francis gave up five hits in the first inning and four hits in the third inning, allowing 3 runs to score in the first and 4 in the fourth. He didn't allow a single hit or run in any other inning.

[CTSoxFan]

Catcher Brayan Pena hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to lead the Royals to victory

Bullpen blows lead but Royals walk-off with victory
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

Luke Hochevar left his first start of the season with the Royals holding a 3-2 lead following six innings where he allowed only six hits. A four-run seventh put the Royals ahead by four runs.

But that lead was not safe for long. Reliever Jeremy Jeffress - acquired this off-season in the blockbuster Zack Greinke trade with the Brewers - gave up five runs in his second inning of relief to allow the Los Angeles Angels to tie the game.

The Royals then walked-off with an 8-7 victory on a RBI sacrifice fly ball to deep centerfield by backup catcher Brayan Pena that scored Melky Cabrera in the bottom of the 13th inning. The win evened the Royals record to 1-1.

Hochevar walked four and struck out six in front of just over 30,000 fans at Kauffman Stadium on Friday. After Jeffress, the bullpen was dominant. Robinson Tejeda, Joakim Soria and Kaneoka Texiera gave up just one hit in 5 2/3 innings, striking out five Angels.

Outfielder Jeff Francoeur continued his hot start for the Royals with a RBI double. Alex Gordon hit his first home run of the season and Alicides Escobar was 4-for-7 with 2 runs scored.

The Royals recorded 22 hits, including 12 off of Angels starter Dan Haren.

Michael Kohn took the loss for Los Angles. Texiera earned just his second career victory.

[CTSoxFan]

Royals quick hit

Kyle Davies allowed 10 hits and struck out 5, but the Royals came up short, falling 5-4 to the Los Angeles Angelss in front of 31,182 at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals had four home runs, including back-to-back bombs by Jeff Franceour and Alex Gordon in the second inning. Melky Cabrera and Mike Aviles also hit home runs for Kansas City.

19-year-old rookie phenom Mike Trout was 2-for-5 with a run scored in his major league debut for Los Angeles.

Ervin Santana pitched eight innings, allowing four hits on four hits, all home runs, and struck out four to earn his first victory of the season.

Chris Pettit hit a two-run double in the eighth inning off of Robinson Tejeda to win the game.

[CTSoxFan]

Royals Quick Hits

A superb start by Bruce Chen was ruined by the bullpen as Sean O'Sullivan allowed a three-run home run by Los Angeles' Bobby Abreu in the eighth inning to end the Royals shutout bid.

Kansas City fell to 1-3, while the Angels moved to 3-1, taking the finale of the season opening four game series at Kauffman Stadium.

Jeff Francouer drove in one run and now has five RBI on the season, tied with fellow outfielder Alex Gordon for the team lead.

In a ninth inning comeback bid, pinch hitter Wilson Betemit drove in one run and scored on a wild pitch, but the Royals could not get a final run across.

Scott Kazmir picked up the win for Los Angeles.

-By KC Post Staff Writer Tom Avery

[CTSoxFan]

Greg Holland pitches in 2010.

Holland an unlikely starter for the Royals
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

Greg Holland was never a star.

He wasn't drafted out of high school. And the Marion, N.C. native didn't go to a big-time college program. At Western Carolina, the mild-mannered righty wasn't even a starting pitcher.

But the one thing he has always done is perform.

One of the top relief pitchers in Western Carolina's history, Holland became the 10th round pick of the Royals in 2007. He decided to forgo his senior season with the Catamounts and now he is the fifth starter for the Royals.

"Greg impressed us this spring with his work ethic and his great attitude," said Ned Yost, the Royals second-year manager. "He was going up against a couple veterans and he stood out in my eyes, and Dayton's [Moore, the GM] also. We saw a lot in him last year that made us think he could make a contribution and we hope we're right."

Holland made 15 uneventful appearances for Kansas City in 2010, finishing the season with an 0-1 record and a 6.75 ERA after 18 2/3 innings of work.

"It was a great experience," said Holland. "It gave me the confidence that I could cut it in the big leagues and I didn't want to go back to the minors. I came out this spring knowing I had a lot of work to do and I think I earned my spot."

Holland beat out a veteran group that included former Oakland A's pitcher Vin Mazzaro, former Royals starter Jeff Suppan and former Angels top prospect Steven Shell. All three are now in Triple-A.

His minor league numbers are nothing to scoff at. He 19-12 in 138 games pitched, including seven starts, with a 3.48 ERA during his four seasons in the minors. Those seven starts came against Single A batters in the comfortable Carolina League atmosphere. He finished that season with a 4-5 record and 3.42 ERA, earning him trips to Double A and Triple A the following year and his promotion in 2010.

This spring Holland did not allow an earned run in 10 appearances, including two starts.

"I felt good. I was as comfortable as I've been since my time at Western Carolina," Holland said. "This is something I've dreamed of my whole life and I didn't want to let the opportunity slip away."

Holland, 25, was the co-MVP of his senior year squad at McDowell High School in Asheville, N.C. before heading to Western Carolina where he made an immediate impact and was the among the top pitchers in the Southern Conference his junior season. He helped the Catamounts to a conference title with 10 saves and his career total of 19 is fourth all-time at the school.

Small in stature at 5'11, Holland pitches like a man much taller.

"He's like a Billy Wagner type, he may have a small body, but he's got a big arm," said Yost.

"Between me and Timmy [Collins], we have a pretty small pitching staff," said Holland.

The 5'10 Collins has been dominant so far, not allowing a run in three appearances as the Royals set-up man to Joakim Soria.

The Royals will hope for similar success from Holland as he takes to the mound at 8:10 p.m. against the Chicago White Sox and starter Edwin Jackson from Kauffman Field.

[CTSoxFan]

Royals Quick Hit:

An impressive start by rookie Greg Holland was wasted by a poor performance by the Royals against White Sox starter Edwin Jackson.

Holland, in his first career start, pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and striking out six. But a RBI double given up to Brent Lillibridge and a solo home run by former Royal Mark Teahen were enough for Chicago to earn the 2-1 victory.

Edwin Jackson shut down Kansas City's offense, allowing just one run on two hits, striking out six.

The Royals one run came from a solo home run by first baseman Billy Butler.

[CTSoxFan]

Joe Mather with the Cardinals in 2010

Royals make deal to acquire Mather, demote Dyson
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY -- Prior to the Royals game against Chicago on Wednesday, general manager Dayton Moore announced a trade with the Atlanta Braves that brings utility man Joe Mather back to Missouri.

The former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder did not make the Braves out of spring training and will fill a whole on the Royals bench, according to Moore. Mather will serve as a backup outfielder, first baseman and third baseman.

The 28-year-old Sandpoint, Idaho native had his best season with St. Louis in 2008 when he hit 8 home runs.

A minor league standout, Mather earned the nickname "Joey Bombs" because of his success with the Springfield Cardinals.

The Royals sent back farmhands Jesse Chavez, 27, who returns to the Braves organization and 21-year-old Kelvin Herrera.

To make room for Mather, Moore sent Jerome Dyson, who has appeared in just one game this year as a pinch-runner, down to Triple-A and designated Double-A infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment to make room on the team's 40-man roster.

[CTSoxFan]

Royals Quick Hit:

Jeff Francis pitched seven innings allowing eight hits, one earned run and striking out five hitters to lead the Royals to a 6-1 victory over the White Sox at Kauffman Field.

Francis improved to 1-1 on the season.

Mike Aviles was the hitting star for Kansas City with a 4-for-5 night, driving in one run. Jeff Francouer had four RBI to give him nine on the season.

Manager Ned Yost said after the game that Joakim Soria suffered an injury during his one inning of work in the ninth (he allowed one hit), but was not ready to disclose the diagnosis.

After the game, general manager Dayton Moore announced four more roster moves.

Second Baseman David Eckstein finalized a one-year deal and will join the team right away. Infielder Irving Falu has been sent to Triple-A and outfielder Gregor Blanco was designated for assignment and placed on waivers to make room for Eckstein on the 40-man roster.

In another move, starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman agreed to a minor league contract with a major league option and will be sent to Triple-A to get into season-shape before possibly joining the Royals. The former Tigers star had considered retirement or taking one year off from baseball.

Speaking of the Tigers, they have placed a waiver claim on infielder Joaquin Arias, who was on the irrevocable waivers list. He will clear waivers in a day and is expected to join the Detroit farm system.

[CTSoxFan]

Edmonds signs one-year deal with Royals
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

Needing another bat to bolster his bench and designated hitter spot, Royals General Manager Dayton Moore announced the signing of veteran outfielder Jim Edmonds to a one-year deal.

The 40-year-old lefty from California has 393 home runs and said he hopes to reach 400, but more importantly, he wants to win.

"I hope I can help these guys turn things around here in Kansas City," said Edmonds, who spent a large portion of his career in St. Louis with the Cardinals. "There's a good core here, hopefully I can add a lot."

Edmonds said he had considered retiring, but was drawn back for one more season.

[CTSoxFan]

Royals Quick Hit:

Starter Luke Hochevar was again denied in his bid for his first victory of the season, despite pitching eight strong innings for the Royals against AL Central rival Detroit on Friday.

Hochevar allowed just eight hits and three earned runs, but the Royals bullpen blew yet another lead. Jeremy Jeffress gave up a walk-off walk to Tigers catcher Alex Avila to end the game.

Mitch Maier was 2-4 with a RBI double for the Royals. Alicdes Escobar and Melky Cabrera also chipped in with two hits each.

Max Scherzer allowed only one earned run (three runs total) in a no-decision effort for Detroit. Jose Valverde picked up the win in relief.

Kansas City dropped its season record to 2-5 with the loss.

[CTSoxFan]

Francoeur, Royals out-bash Tigers
By Tom Avery
Staff Writer

Jeff Francoeur continued his hot start for the Royals on Saturday by driving in two runs to lead Kansas City to a victory over Detroit.

Francouer had three hits, including a double and a solo home run. He now has three home runs, 11 RBI and is batting .378 on the season.

Starting pitcher Kyle Davies allowed eight hits and just two runs while striking out three for his first victory of the season as the Royals (3-5) knocked off Detroit 6-5 at Comerica Park.

"It was a good win to get us back on the right track," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "Jeff has been huge for us so far this season and he continued that today. I'm glad to have him here."

Billy Butler and Mitch Maier also each had three hits as part of a 15-hit onslaught for Kansas City.

The Tigers had 13 hits and scored five runs, including four in the ninth off of Royals relievers Sean O'Sullivan and Robinson Tejeda. But Tejeda locked down the win with a strikeout of Jhonny Peralta.

The Royals were without closer Joakim Soria who is dealing with shoulder soreness and is day-to-day.

"Not having Joakim is putting extra stress on our bullpen," Yost said. "But I have full confidence that these guys will get the job done."

The Royals return to action to complete the three-game series in Detroit on Sunday. Bruce Chen will make his second start of the year.