LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2013 — The Kansas City Royals are going to be an exciting team to watch in 2013. They were able to bring in three quality starters in James Shields, Ervin Santana and Wade Davis who should improve their mediocre rotation from last year. Their number 1 starter from 2012, Bruce Chen, is the number 5 starter in 2013.
The Royals finished 2012 with a record of 72-90, which was good enough for them to finish third in the American League Central.
Kansas City has a fantastic core of young players on offense that will continue to grow together and become a force to be reckoned with over the next few years. They will have to be because the notable names from their farm system have either been traded away or are already on the big league roster.
Billy Butler/AP
Projected payroll: $78,516,600
Notable Players Out: RHP Jake Odorizzi, 2B Tony Abreu
Notable Players In: RHP James Shields, RHP Ervin Santana, RHP Wade Davis
Prospect Watch: OF Bubba Starling and RHP Yordano Ventura
Highlight Hitter: DH Billy Butler (ZiPS 2013 Projections: .295/.365/.476 23 HR/72 R/92 RBI)
Highlight Pitcher: RHP James Shields (ZiPS 2013 Projections: 13-12, 4.11 ERA, 7.92 K/9, 208 IP)
Projected Lineup: C Salvador Perez, 1B Eric Hosmer, 2B Chris Getz/Johnny Giavotella, 3B Mike Moustakas, SS Alcides Escobar, LF Alex Gordon, CF Lorenzo Cain, RF Jeff Francoeur, DH Billy Butler
Projected Rotation: RHP James Shields, RHP Jeremy Guthrie, RHP Ervin Santana, RHP Wade Davis, LHP Bruce Chen
Projected Closer: RHP Greg Holland
Manager: Ned Yost
Projected 2013 Finish in AL West: 1. TBA 2. Kansas City Royals 3. Cleveland Indians 4. Chicago White Sox 5. Minnesota Twins
Kevin J. Wells writes about Major League Baseball and punk rock music. Follow him on Twitter @WellsOnBaseball
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