The Kansas City Royals

The Royals are a team that I have high hopes for in the 2014 season. They made a few key additions to their team in the off season, to heavily improve parts of their team that were very weak. They are probably one of the most well balanced teams in the Major Leagues and may very well displace the Tigers for first place in the central in 2014.

The lineup consists of not one great player but several above average players. They have 4 guys that c
an hit 20 home runs and maintain a high on base percentage. With names like Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer, and Alex Gordon, the Royals are well set for 2014. New additions Norichika Aoki and Omar Infante will anchor the top of the lineup followed by several sluggers. Here is how the lineup may look in 2014.

1. L. Norichika Aoki RF 99 OPS+
2. R. Omar Infante 2B 101 OPS+
3. L. Alex Gordon LF 103 OPS+
4. R. Billy Butler DH 116 OPS+
5. L. Eric Hosmer 1B 118 OPS+
6. R. Salvador Perez C 105 OPS+
7. L. Mike Moustakas 3B 77 OPS+
8. R. Alcides Escobar SS 53 OPS+
9. R. Lorenzo Cain CF 80 OPS+

Some of the best facial hair in
the Major Leagues

The pitching rotation is led by stub James Shields who had a very good season in 2013. He was by the Rays in exchange for prospect Wil Myers who also put up good numbers for the Rays. They did lose Ervin Santana to free agency, but signed lefty Jason Vargas. In fact it was just announced that they will have hard throwing prospect Yordano Ventura be the number five starter. So this is how the rotation for the Royals may look in 2014.

1. R. James Shields 131 ERA+
2. R. Jeremy Guthre 102 ERA+
3. L. Jason Vargas 94 ERA+
4. L. Bruce Chen  126 ERA+
5. R. Yordana Ventura not enough data

Greg Holland emerged as a legitimate closer this past season, but his other comrades in the bullpen did well in late innings. Those other guys in the pen are Luke Hochevar,  Tim Collins, Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Aaron Crow. The Royals are well set for 2014 in terms of late inning relief.