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Mark Grudzielanek Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Beyond the Box Score The Meche deal General manager Dayton Moore insists the Royals weren't sending a message -- even if that was the inevitable result -- by shelling out $55 million to right-hander Gil Meche over the next five years. In fact, Moore contends, "The guy is a difference-maker." Moore also says he was "relieved when they asked about the fifth year. We wanted to do that. That's how much we believe in the type of pitcher he's going to be." Angry Bell Manager Buddy Bell Bell was sufficiently recovered to lash back at Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi in December after Ricciardi appeared to question Meche's competitiveness by choosing to sign with the Royals. "He's a little guy with a big mouth and all he does is whine," Bell said. "He knows nothing of our situation. You've got to be kidding me. Every time I hear this guy talk, all he's doing is whining." Golden child Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, usually so professionally reserved, couldn't hide his satisfaction at receiving the first Gold Glove of his career. "I thought I had a great year in Chicago [in 2004]," he said. "I thought I had an even better year last year in St. Louis." Greinke's issues Right-hander Zack Greinke, once hailed as the next Greg Maddux, departed spring camp in late February and spent more than eight weeks undergoing psychiatric counseling for undisclosed psychological issues. Greinke resumed workouts in April and spent most of the year at Class AA Wichita before joining the Royals for three late-season relief appearances. He contends progress is tangible. "When I go to the field," Greinke says, "I enjoy every day now."

What's this? The Royals spending money? Atlanta-trained Dayton Moore spiced his first offseason as general manager by prying open owner David Glass' wallet for some eye-popping -- and risky -- personnel moves in an effort to resuscitate a franchise coming off its fourth 100-loss season in five years. The biggest gamble is that Gil Meche will realize his immense potential over the next five years, develop into a genuine staff leader and justify a breathtaking $55 million outlay. Moore also continued to dismantle the previous regime's collection of promising-but-underperforming arms. Gone are Ambiorix Burgos, Andrew Sisco and Runelvys Hernandez. That follows last summer's departures of Jeremy Affeldt and Denny Bautista at the trade deadline. "We're asking our fans to continue to be patient," Moore says, "but I'm not asking them to be patient with us losing 100 games again next year. I don't want to ever have a losing season again. Ever."

Rotation

Nobody returns from the group that began the 2006 season. That's probably a good thing for a unit that posted a 5.85 ERA, but there are questions galore. Can Meche justify the hope that, at 28, he is poised to blossom into a dominant No. 1 starter? He won more than 11 games only once in his six seasons in Seattle, which made no effort to retain him despite its own glaring need for starting pitchers. Veteran lefty Odalis Perez and right-hander Luke Hudson seem certain to occupy the next two slots. Perez was 2-4 in 12 starts after arriving in July from the Dodgers, but he is in the walk year of his contract and figures to be highly motivated. Hudson was 6-3 last year after joining the rotation and saw six more victories slip away when the bullpen blew late leads. The final two slots, barring a late addition, should center on a three-way battle between lefty Jorge De La Rosa and right-handers Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister. De La Rosa is a power arm with intriguing potential. Greinke seems to have licked the psychological issues that derailed his career a year ago.

Bullpen

The relief corps also got an offseason makeover when the Royals landed veteran Octavio Dotel to serve as their closer, lured lefty John Bale back from Japan with a two-year contract and signed righty David Riske to a one-year deal with an option for 2008. Dotel is another gamble, albeit a short-term one with a one-year contract at $5 million. He hasn't pitched a full season since 2004 because of reconstructive elbow surgery and was inconsistent last season in 14 appearances for the Yankees. Nonetheless, he is the closer. The Royals' 31 blown saves were the most of any team. Riske projects as the primary right-handed setup man. The addition of Bale alongside lefty Jimmy Gobble made Sisco and his 7.10 ERA expendable. Off he went to the White Sox for veteran reserve Ross Gload. That deal came just a few days after the Royals shipped out Burgos, who blew 12 of 30 save opportunities in 2006. Rule 5 pick Joakim Soria threw a perfect game last winter in the Mexican Pacific League and arrives with a reputation as a strike-thrower. That ensures a long look this spring in a unit that issued more walks last season than any other bullpen. Club officials like Todd Wellemeyer, who will work as a starter in spring training but projects as a swingman.

Middle Infield

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek batted .297 and, for the first time in his career, won a Gold Glove. He also became the first player to buy into Moore's plan by signing a contract extension in August. Angel Berroa remains the shortstop almost by default after stumbling through a dreadful summer in which all phases of game deteriorated. He spent the winter cloistered in Kansas City with a personal trainer in an effort to regain some quickness and flexibility. "He's got to play better, period," manager Buddy Bell says. "But first, he's got to play better defensively."

Corners

The official word is third baseman Alex Gordon, picked last season as Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year, must win a job in spring training. Privately, everybody in the organization expects him to do so. That means Mark Teahen, the club's player of the year, figures to shift to the outfield as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Ryan Shealy firmly established himself as the club's first baseman by batting .280 with seven homers and 36 RBIs in 51 games after arriving July 31 in a trade from Colorado.

Outfield

Plans call for David DeJesus to shift back to center field on a full-time basis after a tour in left last season following the acquisition of speedy Joey Gathright from Tampa Bay. That seems to ensure backup duty for Gathright -- if he makes the club. He has an option remaining and figures to battle Shane Costa for the final roster spot. The corners are in flux. Teahen will man one of them, probably right field, because the Royals want to move Emil Brown back to left. But Moore spent the winter shopping Brown and veteran Reggie Sanders, so things could change.

Catching

The acquisition of catcher Jason LaRue from Cincinnati effectively put John Buck on notice. Buck's defense dipped last season, and his offensive production remains maddeningly inconsistent. LaRue is no long-term answer at 33 and is coming off an injury-plagued season that limited him to 72 games. Still, he has a solid reputation for handling pitchers. That could be enough to win the starting job.

DH/Bench

All fingers are crossed, as always, that this is the season that Mike Sweeney finally stays healthy. Last year a bulging cervical disk limited him to only 60 games. He insists he's healthy, but that's a familiar offseason refrain, and the Royals aren't really buying it. Utilityman Esteban German is a defensive liability, but he batted .326 with a .422 on-base percentage in 106 games. Too bad he can't play short. In contrast, Gload is a good defensive first baseman who is also serviceable in the outfield. He batted .327 last season in 77 games for the White Sox.

Management

Bell appears fully recovered from a late September operation to remove a cancerous growth from his throat. "I hope I don't have to go through it again," he said, "but people go through a lot worse." The coaching staff returns intact.

Final Analysis

Moore has done his best to shake the malaise out of the organization. He bolstered the scouting department, reenergized the commitment to scouting the Caribbean and added a seventh minor-league affiliate. Several trades and the willingness to gamble in the free-agent market energized the dwindling fan base and, perhaps more important, everyone with the club. "I know the fans are excited," Sweeney says, "and that's great. You need that. But the players are also excited, and that's a tribute to what Dayton Moore and the Glass family have done this winter." It might not work, but least they're trying.

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