Royals Prediction:

Another year, another gulp of the Royal Blue Kool-aid. And it tastes good this year. Do I think they'll win a division title? NO. Do I think they'll be fun to watch and be a spoiler? YEAH, BABY!!! (Austin Powers, not Dick Vitale)
Like everybody, I believe 2008 to be the year they step up, but we have to play through this year first. It's not like MLB 2007, where you can simulate a season and move on. I do not believe they will lose 100 games, but I have been wrong before. A lot. Especially when it comes to the Glass run Royals. This year is different. In Dayton, I trust. At least for now!!!

Looking back, Allard didn't do a bad job, at least in the scouting position players. And that's where that ends. His mismanagement on the Major League level was atrocious; his signing of pitching prospects, suspect; his signing of players to long term deals, a joke and who would have guessed Sweeney (or Swenie, as I like to really spell it) would be hurt for the rest of his career...it was a good signing at the time (29 HR, 144 RBI, what's not to like); signing Berroa to a long term deal, when Baird didn't have to be signed; and the long list of pitchers who came to KC to die. Baird did stock one of the cupboards and that was in the outfield, but I think he forgot about shortstop. Things will change with this new regime.

The following is my idea for the lineup. These choices are subject to change and if I am way off, I blame it on the dirty air in Seoul. If I am correct, I will attribute it to the wonderful air in Seoul.
I will miss the entire season, but I will be watching on MLB.TV and doing my best to stay abreast of our Kansas City Royals.

CF-DeJesus
2B-Grundzielanek (German for now)
RF-Teahan
DH-Sweeney, at least for Opening Day's 1st Inning, then put Brown at DH
1B-Shealy
3B-Gordon-you can move him and Brown back and forth, until Moore/Bell figures out what's best for Gordon
LF-Brown, until Sweeney gets hurt, then move Gload (Maybe Sanders, if he's not traded) to Left.
C-Buck, with LaRue at the ready
SS-Berroa, and hold your breath.

UTIL/Extra OF:
German
Gload
LaRue
Gonzalez--We will need a back up SS.


IF and that's a BIG IF, Gaithright can make the club, start him in CF, Move DeJesus to LF, Brown to DH and Sweeney to the Chapel.

What about the pitching and the bullpen/ Isn't it all based on Spring Training?
Tentative:
Starters
Meche
Hudson
Perez
Bannister
DeLaRosa

Bullpen
Soria
Gobble
Riske
Ray
Wellemeyer
Peralta
Dotel

that's 12 pitchers and 13 positions.

I have omitted Geinke and Butler , I think they will be in Omaha, but Greinke seems to be making a case for himself and DeLaRosa is pitching his way out of the Major Leagues, he'll probably clear waivers (Seriously, who would want him?) and end up in Omaha, too. Wellemeyer thought he wanted to start, yet, he too, hasn't proven himself worthy. Soria could be a starter, perhaps in place of DeLaRosa, but I think he should be in the pen to start. My co-worker (a big Royals' fan, too, thinks he should start in the rotation then, if he struggles, put him in the pen. I think not).

I will be attending many baseball games in Seoul, every weekend there are games. As you have read before, there are TWO teams who play at the same stadium, so the opportunity to catch a game every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon is there. The style of baseball is different, they platy small ball and the fences are closer, so I will give updates on how the season progresses.
BUT.

First and foremost: GO ROYALS!!!!!