2008 Kansas City Royals season
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| 2008 Kansas City Royals | |
| Major league affiliations | |
| |
| Location | |
| |
| 2008 Information | |
| Owner(s) | David Glass |
| Manager(s) | Trey Hillman |
| Local television | Fox Sports Net Midwest |
| Local radio | KCSP 610 AM |
The Kansas City Royals' 2008 season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Nippon Professional Baseball) manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19.[1]
The team looks to improve upon its record of 69-93 from 2007, and make the postseason for the first time in 23 years.
Despite another last-place finish in 2007, the Royals feel they're on the brink of a breakthrough with what appears to finally be the right youth in their seemingly continuous youth movement.[2]
The Royals begin their regular season on March 31, 2008 against the Detroit Tigers.
Contents |
[edit] Offseason
[edit] Coaching search
Early candidates to assume the manager's position included Royals bench coach Billy Doran,[3] former Royals star Frank White,[3] and Triple-A Omaha manager Mike Jirschele. Former Major League managers such as Joe Girardi,[3] Jim Fregosi,[3] Ken Macha,[3] and Jimy Williams[3] were also in consideration. Hillman, whom was considered a sleeper candidate, was chosen on October 19.[1]
[edit] Winter meetings
The Royals entered the Winter Meetings in December 2007 with José Guillén and Andruw Jones atop their free-agent prospects list.[2][4] OF Torii Hunter was also considered by Kansas City before signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[2] The Royals signed Guillén to a three-year, $36 million contract, while Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The acquisition of Guillén was the Royals' only major move at the Winter Meetings. Just before the meetings, the Royals had ministered to another need by signing reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option for 2010.[5][6] Yabuta, from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, is seen as the likely successor to David Riske in a right-handed setup role. Riske, after one fine season, left the Royals for a three-year, $13 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[7][6] Hiroki Kuroda was on the Royals' radar, but several other teams were in pursuit as well,[6][8] and the Dodgers signed him first.
In the Rule 5 Draft, the Royals picked up left-handed pitcher Ray Liotta from the Chicago White Sox.
[edit] Offseason roster moves
- (x) = club option for 2008
- (m) = mutual option for 2008
- (y) = player option for 2008
Color Code Key
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | Player will return to team |
| Light Green | Player joins team |
| Crimson | Player will not return to team (released, option not exercised, signed with new team, or retired etc.) |
| White | Player's status undetermined |
| Player | Position | 2007 Team | 2008 Team | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Cortez | 2B | Royals | Minor league free agent | |
| José Guillén | OF | Mariners | Royals | Signed a 3-year, $36 million deal |
| Jason LaRue | C | Royals | Cardinals | Signed 1 Year, $850K |
| Colby Lewis | SP | Athletics | Claimed off waivers from the Athletics, then released | |
| Ron Mahay | RP | Braves | Royals | Signed 2-years, $8M |
| Miguel Olivo | C | Marlins | Royals | Signed 1-Year Contract w/ 2009 Mutual Option |
| Odalis Perez | SP | Royals | Royals declined option | |
| David Riske | RP | Royals | Brewers | Signed 3-year, $13M contract |
| Reggie Sanders | OF | Royals | Elected free agency | |
| Mike Sweeney | 1B | Royals | Elected free agency | |
| John Thomson | SP | Royals | Elected free agency | |
| Chin-hui Tsao | RP | Dodgers | Royals | Signed Minor league Contract |
| Yasuhiko Yabuta | RP | Marines | Royals | Signed 2-years, $6M deal with 2010 club option |
[edit] Trades and free agent signings
December 15—Traded RHP Billy Buckner to the Arizona Diamondbacks for IF Alberto Callaspo.[12]
December 20—Signed LHP Ron Mahay to a two-year deal.[13]
December 27—Signed C Miguel Olivo to a one-year contract.[14]
[edit] Uniform changes
After a lengthy absence, the Royals' powder blue uniforms will return in 2008. The new powder blue jerseys were unveiled to an enormous applause from season-ticket holders on December 6, 2007 at a private event in downtown Kansas City.[15] Royals players John Buck, Mark Teahen, Alex Gordon, José Guillén and David DeJesus and manager Trey Hillman modeled the new power blue tops and white pants, which will be an alternate home jersey in 2008.
The Royals previously wore powder-blue uniforms in away games from 1973 to 1991.[15]
[edit] Regular season
[edit] Suspensions
Outfielder José Guillén will be suspended for 15 days for violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Kansas City signed Guillen knowing that he might have been suspended.[16] Guillén was cited in the Mitchell Report on December 13, 2007.[17]
[edit] Season standings
| AL Central | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago White Sox | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| Cleveland Indians | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| Detroit Tigers | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| Kansas City Royals | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| Minnesota Twins | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
[edit] Game log
Renovations to Kauffman Stadium are expected to be ongoing throughout the 2008 season and will be completed in time for Opening Day in 2009.
[edit] References
- Kansas City Royals: Official web site
- ^ a b Kaegel, Dick. Royals introduce Hillman as new manager MLB.com, 22 October 2007.
- ^ a b c Kaegel, Dick. KC hopes for Winter Meeting encore MLB.com, 28 November 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f Dutton, Bob. Finding a manager tops Royals' offseason checklist Kansas City Star, 1 October 2007. [Retrieved 1 October 2007]
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Royals win one, lose one MLB.com, 6 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Yabuta signs two-year deal with Royals MLB.com, 28 November 2007.
- ^ a b c Kaegel, Dick. Guillen deal spanned Winter Meetings MLB.com, 6 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Riske departs with deal from Brewers MLB.com, 5 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Royals join hunt for Kuroda MLB.com, 27 November 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kaegel, Dick. Royals Winter Meeting checklist MLB.com, 28 November 2007.
- ^ a b Kaegel, Dick. Royals sign Duckworth, Smith MLB.com, 12 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Brown's days with Royals end MLB.com, 12 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Royals acquire Callaspo from D-Backs MLB.com, 15 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Mahay signs two-year deal with Royals MLB.com, 20 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Olivo signs one-year deal with Royals MLB.com, 27 December 2007.
- ^ a b Kaegel, Dick. Royals to bring back powder blues MLB.com, 6 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Royals slugger Guillen suspended MLB.com, 6 December 2007.
- ^ Kaegel, Dick. Royals players cited by Mitchell MLB.com, 13 December 2007.
|
AL East: Baltimore • Boston • New York • Tampa Bay • Toronto NL East: Atlanta • Florida • New York • Philadelphia • Washington |
Kansas City Royals | |
|---|---|
| Kansas City, Missouri | |
| The Franchise | History • Roster • Team Records • Awards & League Leaders |
| Ballparks | Municipal Stadium • Kauffman Stadium |
| Culture | Pine Tar Incident • Sluggerrr • Denny Matthews • American Royal |
| Important Figures | Ewing Kauffman • George Brett • Frank White • Willie Wilson • Amos Otis • Hal McRae • Bret Saberhagen • Dennis Leonard • Dick Howser • Jeff Montgomery • Kevin Appier • Dan Quisenberry • Paul Splittorff • Larry Gura • Bo Jackson • Mike Sweeney |
| Retired Numbers | 5 • 10 • 20 • 42 |
| Minors | Omaha • Wichita • Wilmington • Burlington • Arizona • Burlington • Idaho Falls • Dominican |
| Key Personnel | Owner: David Glass • General Manager: Dayton Moore • Manager: Trey Hillman |
| Team Managers | Joe Gordon • Charlie Metro • Bob Lemon • Jack McKeon • Whitey Herzog • Jim Frey • Dick Howser • Mike Ferraro • Billy Gardner • John Wathan • Bob Schaefer • Hal McRae • Bob Boone • Tony Muser • John Mizerock • Tony Peña • Bob Schaefer • Buddy Bell • Trey Hillman |
| World Championships (1) | 1985 |
| American League Championships (2) | 1980 • 1985 |
| Seasons | 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 |
