Welcome to the 3rd of 30 "2008 Team Previews", where I'm - you guessed it! - offering up a little preview of the 2008 season for each of the teams. Nothing super fancy, (I'm not writing books here munecas), just a few notes on what major moves the teams made over the winter and a thought or two on their upcoming season. I'm going in reverse order of 2007 standings, so next up is....

Kansas City Royals

2007 Record: .426 (69-93), last place in AL Central

2006 Record: .383 (62-100), what do you think their standing was? I'm sorry :(

Who’s Out: The holders of those coaching positions I listed below, David Riske (P), Billy Buckner (P [no relation to Bill {sidenote: I really don't think should be saddled with all the blame for the downfall of the '86 Sox}]).

Who’s In: Hitting coach Mike Barnett , pitching coach Bob McClure , 3rd base coach Luis Silverio , bench coach Dave Owen, 1st base coach Rusty Kuntz (best. name. ever), bullpen coach John Mizerock, Colby Lewis (P), Yasuhiko Yabuta (P), Jose Guillen (OF), Alberto Callaspo (INF [and owner of a name that is also amusing]), Ron Mahay (P), Miguel Olivo (C), Brett Tomko (P).

Notes: Look at all those additions to the team! I can't predict whether they will make some magically vast improvement for the team, but at the very least it shows that the team is not content to roll over and accept their status as perennial bottom of the barrel-ers. They are clearly hoping that with the overhaul of their coaching staff the team will be re-energized or hypnotized into better playing. Prediction: I'm going to go out a limb and put them above the White Sox for a 4th place finish in the division in 2008. They came within 3 games of escaping last place in 2007, and their additions to the team combined with the White Sox's apparent lack of caring and re-signing of King of Crazy Ozzie Guillen surely give them a decent shot.

Labels: 2008 team previews, other teams