2006 Kansas City Royals Preview
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2006 Kansas City Royals Preview
Overview of 2005
For Kansas City Royals fans, 2005 was a year to forget. The team finished with just 56 wins and a staggering 106 losses. The pitching staff struggled significantly, allowing 935 runs?"the second worst in Major League Baseball, only slightly better than the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Offensively, newcomers Emil Brown (.286, 17 HR, 86 RBI) and veterans Mike Sweeney (.300, 21 HR, 83 RBI) and Matt Stairs (.275, 13 HR, 66 RBI) were the few bright spots. Angel Berroa (.270, 11 HR, 55 RBI) and John Buck (.242, 12 HR, 47 RBI) contributed as well, but overall, the lineup was inconsistent.
The pitching, however, was truly problematic. Jose Lima (5-16, 6.99 ERA) had a particularly rough season, winning just one road game. Other starters like Runelvys Hernandez (8-14, 5.52 ERA), Zack Greinke (5-17, 5.80 ERA), and D.J. Carrasco (6-8, 4.79 ERA) failed to deliver. Despite a valiant effort from reliever Mike MacDougal (5-6, 3.33 ERA, 21 saves), the team ended the season 43 games behind the division-leading White Sox and had the worst road record in baseball at 22-59.
Offseason Moves
In the offseason, Kansas City focused on strengthening their pitching with the addition of veterans Joe Mays (6-10, 5.65 ERA), Scott Elarton (11-9, 4.61 ERA), and Mark Redman (5-15, 4.90 ERA), acquired from the Pirates in exchange for Jonah Bayliss and Chad Blackwell. To boost their lineup, they also brought in free agents Reggie Sanders (.271, 21 HR, 54 RBI), Mark Grudzielanek (.294, 8 HR, 59 RBI), and Doug Mientkiewicz (.240, 11 HR, 29 RBI).
2006 Outlook
The acquisition of three new starters is promising, although relying on 11-game winner Scott Elarton as the ace may not drastically improve the rotation. In the bullpen, expect solid contributions from Ambiorix Burgos (3-5, 3.98 ERA) and newcomer Joel Peralta (1-0, 3.89 ERA).
The arrivals of Sanders, Grudzielanek, and Mientkiewicz should enhance offensive production and provide leadership. Sanders, in particular, is expected to offer vital protection for Sweeney and Brown in the lineup.
While these changes could lead to better run support, questions linger about the bullpen's reliability. The Royals remain distant from contention in a division featuring strong teams like Cleveland and Chicago. Fans should temper their expectations for 2006.
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