| | ESPN.com
The best outfield in the American League isn't found in New York, Cleveland or Boston.
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ROYALS LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Johnny Damon hit a career high .307 in 1999. |
1999: 64-97
Runs: 856, 7th in AL
Allowed: 921, 14th in AL
Key facts
Kansas City's bullpen was historically awful in 1999: thanks to 30 blown saves, their 11-32 record in one-run games was the worst since 1937.
Jermaine Dye set a club record and tied for the AL lead with 17 outfield assists in '99.
Carlos Beltran became the eighth rookie in baseball history to score 100 runs and drive in 100 runs last season and the first since Fred Lynn in 1975.
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: People finally understand how good a hitter Mike Sweeney is, and the young outfield continue to shine.
Worst-case: When the realignment plans are cemented for 2001, major league baseball officials realize that they forget to put the Royals in any division.
Prediction: 4th in AL Central
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Try Kansas City, where Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Dye form the best trio in the league.
The three combine power (63 homers last season) and speed (65 stolen bases) to go with defensive prowess. Dye had 17 assists in right, tying him for the lead among American League right fielders. Beltran, the Royals' best center fielder since Willie Wilson, had more assists (12) than any center fielder in the game. Damon made just four errors and his range was judged to be third best among American League left fielders.
Best of all for the rebuilding Royals: none of the three is older than 26.
"We've got a good young group here," said Kansas City GM Herk Robinson. "They can do a lot of things for us."
How long the outfield stays together is open to debate. Damon, eligible for free agency after next season, is the most likely candidate to go, although the Royals and Mariners couldn't agree on a deal earlier this spring.
Kansas City's offense showed great improvement last year, thanks to the arrival of Beltran and breakout seasons from Dye and first baseman Mike Sweeney. The Royals set a franchise record for runs scored in a season, impressive when you consider the team's glory days in the late 1970s and 1980s when names like Brett, McRae, White and Wilson filled the lineup.
And they have two more offensive gems waiting in the wings in Mark Quinn (.360, 25, 84) and hot prospect Dee Brown at Triple-A. Abundant when it comes to offense, the Royals are deficient in pitching. Jose Rosado and Jeff Suppan give them two reliable starters, but there's a big dropoff after that pair.
Whether the rotation is upgraded or not, there's this consolation: the Royals' bullpen couldn't possibly perform as poorly as last season when the relief staff managed to blow more saves then they converted (30 vs. 29).
That was particularly demoralizing for a young team, but Ricky Bottalico brings with him some swagger and experience to the role of closer.
-- Sean McAdam
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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J. Damon, LF
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Twins' birth broke slump: .169 before, .323 after. Hanging in vs. LHP also helped
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B
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C. Febles, 2B
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When he stops overswinging and cuts down his K's, he'll be an All-Star
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B
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C. Beltran, CF
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Priority No. 1 for new owners: Mortgage the house and tie him up for a decade
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A
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Jermaine Dye, RF
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Before/after trading him, Bobby Cox predicted Dye would be a stud
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B
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M. Sweeney, 1B
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Solid producer but a butcher at 1B. Look for Paul Sorrento vs. toughest righties
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C
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Joe Randa, 3B
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Pulling ball more regularly, broke into double digits in homers for first time
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C
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Mark Quinn, DH
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.360 in Triple-A, then 6 HRs/60 ABs in Sept. No OF slot unless Damon is dealt
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I
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Sal Fasano, C
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Do 21 Triple-A homers mean he's learned to hit with power? Skeptics abound
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D
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Rey Sanchez, SS
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Fourth-best ninth-place hitter in baseball -- not counting Mike Hampton, of course
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C
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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Jose Rosado, SP
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Mechanical adjustments boosted velocity, thus enhancing his great change
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B
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Jeff Suppan, SP
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Pitched into the sixth inning in 27 of 32 starts
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C
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Jay Witasick, SP
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Must develop a consistent off-speed pitch to stay in rotation
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D
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Blake Stein, SP
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Must develop a consistent off-speed pitch to stay in rotation
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D
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Orber Moreno, RP
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Big-time heater, decent change. But elbow trouble, so they'll go slow
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I
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R. Bottalico, RP
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Since April '98 elbow surgery: 5.55 ERA. He's your big off-season acquisition?
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D
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