He was the Royals' 2008 Opening Day left fielder and also played right, first and third last season.

"I think I can bend at the knees a little bit more and handle it," Teahen said.

With second base up for grabs due to the departure of Mark Grudzielanek and the outfield crowded with new addition Coco Crisp and holdovers David DeJesus and Jose Guillen, the Royals want to experiment with Teahen at second base.

The other second base candidates include Willie Bloomquist, who was a utility player with the Mariners, and Alberto Callaspo, who can hit but has limited range and off-the-field concerns, including an arrest on suspicion of DUI last year in Kansas City.

Teahen came up as a third baseman but moved to the outfield in 2007 to make room for Alex Gordon. Teahen played second base as a college freshman and in a summer league after his sophomore year.

"It's definitely not foreign," Teahen said. "It's been awhile since I played there."

Teahen was initially approached about playing second base when manager Trey Hillman had a voluntary minicamp at his ranch in Texas.

"Personally, just looking at how the offseason went, I kind of was looking at it as, it might be something they ask me to do, and tried to prepare for that possibility," Teahen said.

"I feel like it is going well. Obviously, you've got to get in games and get that experience going, but as far as doing the drills and getting the reps in, I'm definitely doing that part of it. It is just getting more and more comfortable with it. It is not completely foreign, so I feel like it is coming back pretty quick."

WHERE, WHEN: Surprise, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25, charity game with Rangers.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: RHP Kyle Davies went 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his final three starts, two of them against the White Sox and Twins, who were battling for first in the American League Central. Davis allowed three earned runs in that span while allowing 11 hits, walking three and striking out 19 in 21 innings. Davies, 25, could be ready to emerge as a consistent winner in the majors and solidify the rotation as the No. 3 starter.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: SS Mike Aviles was considered to be nothing more than a utility player in the majors, but he wrestled the starting shortstop job away from light-hitting Tony Pena Jr. with a .325 average and 10 home runs as a rookie. It would be far-fetched to think Aviles could duplicate those numbers his sophomore season. It will be intriguing to see how opposing pitchers adjust to him after last year and if Aviles will be able to made the necessary adjustments to continue hitting for a high average.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Trey Hillman, who spent the previous five years managing in Japan, was unorthodox in his rookie season, but the Royals responded by winning 75 games, their most since 2003. Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has joined the staff as the bench coach, which should help Hillman with his knowledge of the American League. Kevin Seitzer will bring increased energy and knowledge as the new hitting coach.