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This is the last of my reports on Twins competitors for the Central Division of the American League.

You can find the others elsewhere on the site:

Detroit
Chicago
Cleveland

Kansas City has had a dismal time of it this decade. They had a brief run in 2003, when Tony Pena showed to the whole world that he can't manage a pitching staff to save his life. Though they made a run at the division title, that year set the organization back three years, as several pitchers either ruined their careers or went under the knife afterwards, only to return a shell of their former selves.

The years since showed beyond a doubt that GM Allard Baird had no clue how to put a ballclub together. And last year, the organization finally made the move to replace him with Drayton Moore.

Baird made several questionable decisions in his tenure. But perhaps the beginning of the end happened last spring, when he ordering his manager--Buddy Bell--to send top pitching prospect Zach Greinke to AAA after an up-and down career with the Royals. Greinke had his now famous meltdown at that point and was out of baseball until midsummer. The result is a lost year for the team's most promising pitcher. And pitching has been this organization's Achilles heal, especially since Pena burned so many of them out in 2003.

The good news for the Royals this year is Greinke is back to  the form that made him perhaps the top pitching prospect in baseball. And Moore has added a lot of pitching to the mix that will make the Royals competitive in 2007. The team has also quietly developed some top quality position players who are ready to make an impact this year. I don't think they'll contend, but I would not be shocked if they finish with a .500 record, which is why I don't predict 90-plus wins for the top four teams in the division. I predict that only the Twins and Detroit will surpass the 90-win milestone, in part because the Royals will not be pushovers this year.

Starters

The highest profile move the Royals made was to spend a ridiculous sum of money on Gil Meche (5 years, $55 million). My favorite uncle is a huge Royals fan. So for his sake, I'm not fond of this move financially. But Meche will eat innings and save the Royals' bullpen as the season goes along. Moore overpaid for Meche, but he will help shore up the pitching staff.

The other addition to the starting staff was Odalis Perez, whom Moore acquired from the Dodgers last year. Like Meche, he won't light the world on fire. But he will eat innings, and he could repeat some of the good times he had in LA.

The stalwart of the staff will be Scott Elarton, who had some good years with Cleveland until the Indians no longer needed him with their superior depth. He's no ace, but he can be a solid solid number 3.

Fourth starter Luke Hudson, the team's ace last year, will continue to develop into a quality starter. But to say he was the staff ace last year with a 5 ERA says more about the staff than about Hudson.

The X factor is Greinke, who only threw a few pitches in the majors last year. And his last full year--2005--with the Royals was a carbon copy of Carlos Silva circa 2006. But he is still only 23 and has figured some things out. Also, when a guy puts up a 3.97 ERA as a 20 year old for the Royals, as he did in 2004, he's got potential. I expect him to become the ace of the staff and be the Comeback Player of the Year in 2007.

Bullpen

The biggest acquisition Moore made in the offseason was to sign Octavio Dotel to free agent contract as the team's new closer. Before having Tommy John surgery following the 2005 season, Dotel was a solid closer for Houston and Oakland. He's no sure thing, but he's better than anybody the Royals have had in that role since Mike McDougal's 2003 year.

Moore also added David Riske to set up Dotel. And Jimmy Gobble returns as the lefty set-up man. Joel Peralta will also setup Dotel. But the Royals will need some youth to step up here to have the kind of depth other teams in the division have in the bullpen.

Offense

The Royals don't have a solid 1-9 like the Twins or Tigers, but they do have a good young nucleus to build around. The offense will be led once again by David DeJesus at the top of the order and Mark Teahan and Mike Sweeney in the middle of the order. Moore also added Ryan Shealy last year, which added protection to the sluggers. And this year's phenom--Alex Gordon--will take the middle of the order to a new level. Gordon is my pick for Rookie of the Year, and I join just about every other pundit in that prediction. So you definitely did not hear that here first. The team will score some runs, but it won't outslug the other teams in the division. It will have to win its games with pitching and defense.

Defense

Defensively, the Royals will be improved. They have added Jason LaRue to the catching mix, which should help John Buck develop. And they have finally moved on with Angel Baroa, acquiring Tony Pena Jr. from the Braves to be their everyday shortstop. Gordon's presence at third will help as well, as the team moved Teahan to the outfield to make room for the superior gloveman. And DeJesus is underrated as a center fielder, making the team solid up the middle for the first time in recent memory, with Mark Grudzielanek capably manning second base again. Unlike previous years, the Royals won't give away as many outs, which should make their pitching better.

Overall

A lot of things have to come into place for this emerging team to make it back to .500. I'm predicting a 78-84 year, but I wouldn't be shocked if the team makes it back to .500 with the emergence of Gordon and the re-emergence of Greinke.

This is just a friendly community notice that TwinkieTown's lead writer Jesse, is off to England to wed a wonderful British vixen. His departure will be today, and will be getting married next week.

With that, I just want to take this opportunity to say congrats to Jesse. May your flight over be safe, and make sure to warm up your arm before we play that game of catch infront of the Ely Cathedral! Don't need the groom popping his shoulder out an hour before the ceremony!

Again, cheers Jesse! Congratulations, and see you in about a week.

I encourage all other TwinkieTowners to leave a comment of congratulations if you feel so inclined.

Alrighty kids...the first one is done...and they lost. Here comes the big "eh." I feel that it is hard to beat a team in their home opener. Especially when the Jays went shopping/spending this winter in the same fashion as Paris Hilton goes shopping for shoes and lame crap for her chihuahua. Regardless, there were things, both positive and negative, which I noticed. So, lets look at a 5 on 5, positives and negatives of opening day. Lets start with the negatives:

Negatives -

1. Batista's lack of range: This concerned me in the offseason, and it really made me cringe a bit yesterday. Now, I must admit, a few balls were scorched at him, but from the tv angle, they seems to be only 2-3 feet to his left. Come on Tony, gimme a little dive and let me see all that flub jiggle! Maybe he is still getting his sea legs under him, but if not, this will prove to be a very large problem.
2. J.MO's flailing bat: I hope this isn't act 2 of the bad play we saw last year...but man J.Mo sure looked tense at the plate, as we saw him for the majority of last year. Come to think of it, the only time I remember seeing him relaxed...was right after he got beaned. Can someone send a message to Towers that he may feel free to hit J.Mo in the Gord? Maybe then, we can see good solid swings from the big guy, instead of what we have become used to.
3. Castillo's slappy left-handed swing: As I write this, I look to my right, and see that someone else has already touched on this. I shall write no more about this.
4. The dictator looked better at the plate than anyone (besides Stewart): I am glad this was just one game, because if this were a long term truth, my tears would be dripping like rain. Honestly though, Castro looked ready, and solid at the dish. I hope everyone else decides to "come to class prepared" this evening.
5. Johan not quite sharp: It is weird, my friends and I have determined that Johan needs to say to himself "it is July 17th." Being from July on, he is unstoppable. He truly looked better than he has in other years, at least at the beginning of the year, but we know much better is on the horizon. How far on the horizon...that I don't know.

Positives -

1. Shannon Stewart: A great defensive play, 3 for 4 with a knock, and just a good plate presence. Frankly, I was skeptical about Shannon continuing to lead-off when Castillo is on the squad...but hey, if he feels like going 3 for 4 each game, I say leadoff mister stewart, leadoff.
2. Rinroid: Juanny looked good. A key strikeout against Wells (i think it was wells), and just a great outing. Very nice to see, especially since he is getting over an injury. And...to boot...he threw his innings while saying "look ma...no Roids!"
3. Kubel's knee...and arm: Well, if he can start on opening day, that must mean that the squad has a great deal of confidence in his health. Also, Kubel has a really good arm. Now if he can get a bit of Torii-esque accuracy...hitters will have to try and get the ball to Stewie for sac flys.
4. Torii's mobility: I was very concerned about this. Then, he flashed his speed, and ran all the way back on a ball and caught it. I sighed, probably with many fans, a sigh of relief. Thank you Torii for taking care of that ankle...we need it, and you for this season.
5. The eyes of Rondell and Castillo: The pitches that were called strikes on them were absolutely absurd. Especially Rondell's pitch. As was said by Dick, "Usually, when they end up in the dirt, they aren't strikes." So, the positive of this is the fact that they had the eyes to not swing at these pitches...which were called strikes.

The day comes...well, in about 4 days. Opening day...thank ya Jebus. There is a great deal of question in my mind regarding the 2006 twins. Sadly, the twins are no longer the only club in the central. The bitchsox and the indians are going to be very good this year, that is a simple and plain truth. The twins can't make the sox or the indians any better, but they can control their own destiny. Frankly, I feel very confident that the twins will have as good a chance to win the division this year as anyone...despite the questions regarding the squad.

When looking at the potential issues at the top of this season...three jump out at me as being make or break issues for the 2006 Minnesota Twins. So, without further adieu, here are my 2006 make or breaks.

1) Will Rondell hit .300 (or there abouts?):

This is a question that I can already guess people attacking. But, being Rondell is the DH, and being he has the potential to be that .300 hitting-doubles machine, it comes down to whether or not he can do what he can do. Rondell is going to be a key component, and I feel that his offense, or lack there of, will be an indicator for the whole squad.

2) Which Torii comes to the park?:

Is he going to be the bang into the wall number 48, or a more cautious #48? His defense will indicate his overall feeling, and that of course will carry into not only his defense, but his offense as well. No need to say anything else.

3) Does Carlos Silva win 13 (+ or - 2) games?:

Santana will be himself, Bradke will be better than 2005...so it comes down to carlos. If he can get Castillo lots of balls for double plays, all will be well. If Carlos is dangling fasties around the belt...bad news. He is going to be the key pitcher on the staff. I feel Carlos is better than the majority of the number 3 pitchers in the AL...but the question is...can he perform that way?

That is that...my simple list...what are all of your thoughts?