Juan Cruz Signs With Royals

Not a bad price, but I wonder why they'd want him -- I don't see the Royals as contenders. They seem determined to reconstitute the 2003 Cubs (also signed Kyle Farnsworth), although they let another one (Mark Grudzielanek) go. Sammy Sosa is still available...

almost 3 years ago Al Yellon 8 comments 0 recs |

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The AL Central

is a very compact division. Baseball Prospectus predicts that the Indians will win the division with 86 wins and the White Sox will finish last with 75 wins. That’s only an 11 win difference from top to bottom. They’ve got the Royals checking in at 76 wins.

Now clearly, Juan Cruz is not a ten-win player that is going to put the Royals over the top. If the Royals are really going for it, they need to talk to Manny Ramirez. But the point is that if BP is off a bit or just random chance breaks in their favor, Juan Cruz could be the guy in the pen who wins the one or two games that could put them over the top in the weak AL Central.

I wouldn’t bet on it, but the Royals actually have a chance this season.

by Josh Timmers on Feb 28, 2009 5:16 PM CST reply actions

Possibly.

Their pitching is going to have to be outstanding to do that, though.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 28, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions

If the Royals achieved 76 wins...

…it would be a disappointment. In the last four years KC has gone from 56-62-69-75 in victories. They have a solid manager and GM (finally), a revamped stadium, and have made commitments previously unheard of in the small-market KC. I really like HIlliman and Moore. Whether or not you agree iwth them, Jose Guillen, Farnsworth, Crisp, Mike Jacobs, and now, Cruz, have all been signed as indication that they care about winning. The AL Central is so messed up right now outside of the Twins…I really could see the Royals getting close to .500 with 80 or so victories. I am very glad—as I recently relocated to the greater KC area—that the Royals reupped Greinke.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 1, 2009 1:25 AM CST up reply actions

"Messed up outside of the Twins"?

I’d say, as noted above, that the Indians should be favorites to win it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 1, 2009 4:01 AM CST up reply actions

I really don't see

a big discrepancy between the Indians, Sox, Tigers, and Twins. Hell, even the Royals can compete. I like the Twins simply because they are like the 90s Braves—they are always in contention in their division.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 1, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

I think...

… it’s the Indians and Twins who are going to fight it out, the White Sox at a slightly lower plateau, the Tigers and Royals below them, not as close as you think.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 1, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

Royals are on the rise

Zach Grienke, Alex Gordon, Billy Butler… They have a nice emerging core of solid young players. I agree with the sentiment that the AL Central will be very competitive and compact race. You’d have to think Detroit and Cleveland are the teams to beat though.

by BLou on Mar 1, 2009 1:13 PM CST reply actions