The Royals have more questions than answers entering the offseason. The Nos. 3, 4 and 5 starters are up in the air with plenty of candidates but no sure bets. The Royals received little production from the No. 3 hitter most of the season, so they need someone to come in and fill that role or step up internally.
BIGGEST NEEDS: General manager Dayton Moore will be on the lookout for a veteran free agent to plug into the rotation and another run-producer to fit into the middle of the lineup. It is to be determined whether the Royals will go after a second baseman and/or shortstop. Catching, too, is up in the air entering the offseason. FREE AGENTS: 2B Mark Grudzielanek, RHP Kip Wells.
Grudzielanek has been a terrific pickup for the Royals -- he won a Gold Glove at second base in 2006 and hit .297, .302 and .299 in three years with Kansas City -- but he is 38 and the Royals are in a youth movement, so it is highly unlikely he will return. Wells has been a starter most of his career but was used strictly as a reliever after the Royals signed him. It is doubtful he will be with the club next February.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Zack Greinke, LHP Jimmy Gobble, RHP Luke Hudson, OF Joey Gathright, C John Buck, C Miguel Olivo, OF-3B Mark Teahen, IF Jason Smith, RHP Brandon Duckworth, RHP Joel Peralta, RHP Brian Bannister, RHP Kyle Davies, IF-OF Esteban German and LHP John Bale.
With 14 players eligible for arbitration, it is a lock the Royals are going to take a major hit in escalating salaries. For sure, the Royals will not go to arbitration with all 14. Some will either be non-tendered or signed before contracts have to be mailed in December. Greinke could break the bank.
IN LIMBO: If the Royals are unable to tie up RHP Zack Greinke to a long-term contract in the offseason, they could trade him for a handful of blue-chip prospects who are close to being ready for the majors. Greinke, 24, is an ace in the making, young and could file for free agency after the 2010 season. The Royals would have to be overwhelmed to deal Greinke, but don't rule it out. OF-3B Mark Teahen and C John Buck could also be moved, as well as LHP Jimmy Gobble and IF-OF Esteban German.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Luke Hochevar went on the disabled list with a right rib cage contusion on Aug. 20 and did not pitch the rest of the season. The Royals will be monitoring his progress throughout the winter as he returns to throwing off the mound. If healthy, Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, could earn a spot at the back end of the rotation in spring training.
1B Ryan Shealy did not finish the final game because of hamstring tightness. Since Shealy has a history of hamstring injuries, the Royals will be watching carefully how he strengthens his hamstring in the offseason to prevent further injuries.
RHP Luke Hudson missed the entire season while rehabbing from 2007 shoulder surgery. He will likely be a non-roster invitee in spring training next year.
