Pitching

Okay, so the top 3 are settled:

1. Meche
2. Bannister
3. Greinke

Now - who for 4 and 5? I have to say, this is probably the most depth in terms of experience that the Royals have ever had to choose from for those slots.

Nomo (11 years)
Tomko (11 years)
Duckworth (7 years)
Lawrence (6 years)
Bale (5 years + 3 in Japan)

Now I'm not saying the experience equals quality (see eLLLLLarton and OdaLLLLLLis last year), but it certainly doesn't hurt on a young team like ours. Combine that with some young promising arms (Hochevar, Lumsden, Nunez, De La Rosa, Davies) and you have a recipe for some strong starters. Not to mention that the depth helps a lot when pitchers go down, and you know they will.

My guess - 4 & 5 are split between experience and promise. Bale wins the four spot with a solid spring, and due to the fact that I can't see Hillman not throwing a lefty in the starting five. I also think he probably has an affinity for Bale because of the Japan connection.

Five goes to.....drumroll please....Hochevar. I know, I know - it's too early. We don't want to ruin him. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah. Listen - the guy is a #1 pick who has his contemporaries already impacting the league (Joba Chamberlain, Tim Lincecum, Andrew Miller). The reliever thing doesn't make sense if we plan on him being a starter long term. What is the downside? Let the games begin...