Are The Royals in Win-Now Mode?

The Kansas City Royals have been an exercise in futility for the past two decades. In fact, the only thing separating them from being in the exact same category as the Pittsburgh Pirates is their 83 win season in 2003. And that season was in the middle of a stretch from 2002-2006 where the lost 100 or more games in four of those five seasons. The last four seasons however have seen the Monarchs Royals increase their win total from 65 in 2009 to 72 this past season. Progress people, progress.

Apparently, this means the time to strike is now. After they pulled off a "blockbuster" trade with the Los Angeles Angels picking up Ervin Santana as well as signing Jeremy Guthrie to a three year $25MM deal (That's one way to skew the market), rumors abound that the Royals are willing to part with uber-prospect Wil Myers in search of a frontline starting pitcher at the big league level. Baaaaaad call Mr. Moore, bad call. I guess Dayton thinks that 21 year olds who turn AAA into their own personal batting practice grow on trees.

He's Coming... Eric Hosmer Edition

I have a tendency to get a little overexcited when it comes to prospect call-ups but Eric Hosmer is kind of a big deal. Hosmer ranked fifth on Keith Law's Top 100 list coming into the 2011 season. Law's top two (Mike Trout, Bryce Harper) won't play in the majors this season, number three Domonic Brown was a little exposed during his time in Philadelphia last season and is currently hurt and number four Jesus Montero's bat is ready but there is no spot for him in the Yankees lineup. So Hosmer is basically the top prospect we can expect to make his major league debut this year and have a chance to contribute.

The timing is a little curious unless the Royals have decided the Indians aren't for real (which very well might be) and think they can make a run for the AL Central this season. Otherwise, the Royals could have left Hosmer raking in AAA for another month to prevent him from becoming a Super Two. Which he is almost guaranteed to be unless he doesn't hit for some reason and doesn't stick on the MLB roster. For the Royals, this means Hosmer would be eligible for a fourth year of arbitration which would/could cost the Royals upwards of $10M before he hits free agency.

But the move was made and it's not hard to see why the Royals swapped out Kila Ka'aihue for Hosmer. In 118 plate appearances at AAA, Hosmer is hitting .439/.525/.582 with three home runs. He's not exactly crushing the ball though. The kid is hitting a ton of singles. He has only eight extra base hits and a .143 ISO. His BABIP is also .500 so that .439 BA might not be an accurate representation. Everyone still expects Hosmer to hit and hit right away and who am I to argue with everyone?

There are exciting time ahead in Kansas City. With the Royals only 4.5 games out of first, who's to say that 2011 isn't as good a year as any to be hopeful? The division isn't very good and they have more help on the way. Which is good because I do think it's just a matter of time before Jeff Francoeur turns back into a pumpkin.