Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.After finishing 12th in the AL in runs, OBP, and SLG last year, the Royals have already begun to try to upgrade their offense, acquiring Mike Jacobs from the Marlins for Leo Nunez last week. Jacobs, who hit 32 homers last season, will add power, but that's about all he brings to the table. He walked just 36 times last season, so he'll fit right in with the Royals, who finished dead last in the American League in BB.
It was also a somewhat odd move since they have multiple 1B/DH types already, including Ryan Shealy, Kila Ka'aihue, and Billy Butler. But GM Dayton Moore may plan to move one or more of those guys in trades later this winter.
Who may leave?
2B Mark Grudzielanek (free agent)
What do they need?
Kansas City's strengths are the top of their rotation, with Gil Meche and Zach Greinke, and the back of their bullpen, with stud closer Joakim Soria. Brian Bannister isn't as bad as he was last year (5.76 ERA), but he isn't as good as his '07 performance (3.87 ERA) would indicate either. Bannister and Kyle Davies aren't bad back-of-the-rotation options, but the Royals could use a guy to slot in ahead of them. Their bullpen was decent last year, and when you're still a couple years away from contention like Kansas City is, you don't really want to be throwing money at free agent relievers.
On offense, they potentially have a hole to fill with Grudzielanek leaving. The rest of the infield looks to be set for now, with Alex Gordon, Mike Aviles,and Jacobs from left to right. The outfield is a different story. With two years and $24MM still remaining, the Jose Guillen contract already looks like a mistake, as the 32-year-old right fielder had just a .300 OBP in his first year in Kansas City. But because of the contract, he'll likely get another 600 ABs anyway. David DeJesus can play one of the other two OF spots, and KC may choose to give Mark Teahen another shot after a disappointing 2008 campaign.
What should they do?
With this Royals team, it's more a matter of what they shouldn't do. The acquisitions of Guillen last winter and Jacobs last week aren't signs that the team is going in the right direction. They do need to improve their offense, but acquiring defensive liabilities with .300 OBPs isn't a good way to go about doing so, even if they hit a few homers.
They should stop trying to make a big splash, and instead concentrate on incremental improvements. The top priorities over the next few months should be to find a second baseman, and maybe a mid-rotation starter. That won't allow them to contend for the division title this year, but it will let them stay competitive while giving their young players like Gordon, Butler, Greinke, Davies, and Hochevar an opportunity to improve.
What will they do?
I suspect Kansas City has already made their big move of the winter in acquiring Jacobs, the "power bat" they wanted. But it's also possible that Moore isn't done, and will make a surprise move for another starter, like he did with Meche a couple years ago. It wouldn't really make sense to sign and older guy, but it's possible that they'll make a run at someone like Oliver Perez, who just turned 27 and could be a real force if he ever gets the walks under control.
Other than that, they'll probably make a couple small moves and return pretty much the same team at last year, losing Grudzielanek and bringing Jacobs aboard. That won't be good for much more than another 70-75 win season, but that's really the only realistic option the Royals have at this point.
