DEPARTURES: RHP Ramon Ramirez (trade with Red Sox), RHP Leo Nunez (trade with Marlins), 2B Mark Grudzielanek (filed for free agency), OF Joey Gathright (non-tendered, signed with Cubs), INF Jason Smith (non-tendered, signed minor league contract with Astros), RHP Kip Wells (filed for free agency).

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. RHP Gil Meche

2. RHP Zack Greinke

3. RHP Kyle Davies

4. RHP Brian Bannister

5. LHP Horacio Ramirez

Meche, whom the Royals signed to a five-year, $55 million contract before the 2007 season, has been the Opening Day starter the last two years. Greinke, who signed a four-year extension in January, developed into a premiere starter last year after spending most of the 2007 season in the rotation.

Davies finished last season strong after beginning the year with Class AAA Omaha and figures to be the No. 3 starter. RHP Luke Hochevar, the first player picked in the 2006 draft, finished the year on the disabled list because of a rib injury but could pitch his way back into the rotation with a solid March. Ramirez is the lone left-hander in the group, and manager Trey Hillman would like to have a southpaw in the rotation.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Joakim Soria (closer)

RHP Juan Cruz

RHP Kyle Farnsworth

LHP Ron Mahay

RHP Robinson Tejeda

RHP Doug Waechter

RHP Joel Peralta

Soria, a 2006 Rule 5 pick, developed into an All-Star closer in his sophomore season. With effective setup men Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez traded, the Royals added free agents Farnsworth, Cruz and Waechter to replace them.

RHP Jamey Wright could wind up in the 'pen if he doesn't land a rotation job.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. CF Coco Crisp

2. SS Mike Aviles

3. LF David DeJesus

4. RF Jose Guillen

5. 1B Mike Jacobs

6. 3B Alex Gordon

7. DH Billy Butler

8. C Miguel Olivo

9. 2B Alberto Callaspo

Guillen and Jacobs give the Royals two bona fide power hitters in the middle of their lineup. Crisp will replace DeJesus, who batted .307 last season, at the top of the order. DeJesus will move into the third hole, while Aviles, who batted .325 as a rookie, will likely hit second.

The Royals need improvement from former first-round picks Gordon, the second overall pick in the 2005 draft, and Butler for the offense to click on all cylinders. Gordon has a .253 average in his first two seasons, while Butler's average dropped 17 points last season to .275.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C John Buck

INF/OF Willie Bloomquist

INF/OF Mark Teahen

1B/OF Ross Gload

Don't discount the idea of Bloomquist and/or Teahen earning starting positions. Bloomquist could wrestle the second base job from Callaspo. Teahen can play all three outfield positions, third base and first base and will experiment at second base in spring training.

Buck has been the No. 1 catcher since the day he arrived in the Carlos Beltran trade, but his anemic batting average has moved Olivo ahead of him. If the Royals opt to open with a six-man bullpen, they could keep another position player, probably Esteban German. Ryan Shealy, who is out of options, could earn a bench job or the starting first base job.

TOP ROOKIES: RHP Daniel Cortes is not on the Royals' 40-man roster, but he is considered their best pitching prospect in the high minors. He has an invitation to spring training but will likely begin the year with Class AAA Omaha. If someone in the rotation flounders and Cortes is pitching well in the Pacific Coast League, he could be promoted by midseason.

First base is crowded, which means Kila Ka'aihue, the Hawaiian Punch, will likely go back to Omaha in April. Ka'aihue hit 38 home runs last season, and if he can equal or top that this year, it will be difficult to keep him in the minors.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Julio Pimentel (right elbow) is out for at least six weeks, but it could be a lot longer if surgery is necessary. He is seeking a second opinion.

LHP John Bale (overactive thyroid gland) had surgery on March 3. He was throwing from 60 feet as of March 13.

RHP Oscar Villarreal (sore elbow) had yet to appear in a spring game as of March 13.