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EVENTS AD PARTNERS
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1999 Recap: After leading both leagues with a 22-9 spring training record, the Royals promptly stumbled to the worst regular-season finish in their 31-year history. But along the way Tony Muser's squad evolved from a collection of retreads into a youthful team with an exciting future. First baseman Jeff King retired suddenly in May, closer Jeff Montgomery called it quits after the season and long-time ace Kevin Appier was traded down the stretch. Outfielder Jermaine Dye (.294-27-119) and first baseman Mike Sweeney (.322-22-102) blossomed, while outfielder Johnny Damon (.287-14-77, 26 stolen bases) continued to improve. With six starting players 25 and under, the Royals set a team record for runs scored. Trouble is, their 921 runs allowed was also a franchise high. 1999 Highlight: The youth movement shifted into high gear. Outfielder Carlos Beltran (.293-22-108, 27 SBs) was the AL Rookie of the Year, and second baseman Carlos Febles (.256-10-53-20) wasn't far behind. Mark Quinn hit two homers in his September debut, finishing with six homers and 18 RBIs in 17 games. Southpaw Jose Rosado (10-14, 3.85 ERA) and right-hander Jeff Suppan (10-12, 4.53), both just 24, developed into a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. 1999 Lowlight: Has there ever been a worse bullpen? Not according to the numbers. The Royals become the first team in major-league history with more blown saves (30) than saves (29). Close games? Forget about it. Kansas City was 21-46 in one- and two-run games, losing 20 times after leading in the sixth inning. In his final season, Jeff Montgomery saved 12 games, blew seven and finished with a 6.84 ERA. Manager: Tony Muser (167-234 with Royals in three seasons) Coaches: Lamar Johnson (hitting), Brent Strom (pitching), Frank White (first), Rich Dauer (third), Tom Burgmeier (bullpen), Jamie Quirk (bench) Camp Site: Baseball City Stadium, Davenport, Fla. Reporting Dates: Pitchers and catchers on Feb. 19; full squad on Feb. 22. Additions RHP Ricky Bottalico, OF Todd Dunwoody, C Jorge Fabregas, RHP Tyler Green, C Brian Johnson, RHP Brett Laxton, INF Jeff Reboulet, 1B Paul Sorrento, RHP Jerry Spradlin. Subtractions: 1B Jeremy Giambi, SS Felix Martinez, 1B-OF Lerry Sutton, RHP Jeff Montgomery, 1B Joe Vitiello Spring Cleaning: The Royals' No. 1 task is fixing their bullpen - 36 of the 63 players invited to camp are pitchers -- but it's not the only one. Manager Tony Muser insists Mike Sweeney is his first baseman, but doubts persist about the former catcher's defensive abilities. A rough start and Sweeney could end up at DH, with veteran Paul Sorrento taking his place in the infield. Catcher Sal Fasano has the opposite problem: His glove is fine, his bat suspect. Backup Brian Johnson, with 13 homers in 1997 and again in '98, is insurance.
Key Acquisition: Ricky Bottalico won't solve K.C.'s bullpen woes all by himself, but if he returns to 1996-97 form (34 saves each season), he'll be a very good start. Bottalico saved 20 games last season for the Cardinals, albeit with nine blown saves and an unimpressive 4.91 ERA. With a one-year deal from the Royals, a good season could earn him a big payday in 2000. Rookie Ober Moreno, coming off '99 arm problems but viewed by many as the Royals' closer of the future, fills out the bullpen with veteran Jerry Spradlin, Jose Santiago and the losers in the fifth-starter derby. The Future is Now: Outfielder Mark Quinn won batting titles in the Texas League (.349 in 1998) and the Pacific Coast League (.360 in '99) before his torrid September showing for Kansas City. The fella can hit. But Damon, Beltran and Dye ain't going anywhere - at least right now -- so DH may be his best shot, possibly in a righty-lefty platoon with Todd Dunwoody. Of course, if Sweeney can't handle first, the numbers game could put Quinn back in Class AAA Omaha, where he doesn't have much to prove. Opportunity Knocks: Just 22, Dee Brown hit .331 with 25 homers and 102 RBIs between Class A Wilmington and Class AA Wichita in 1999. The Royals view the 6-foot, 215-pound outfielder as a potential 30-30 player whose only weakness is a below-average arm. Brown will probably spend the summer in Omaha, but another strong season could prompt the Royals to make room in 2001 by shopping Damon and his rising salary. Prospects to Watch: RHP Jeff Austin, OF Dee Brown RHP Chad Durbin, RHP Junior Guerrero, LHP Chris George,
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