Optimism Reigns in Clubhouse--But Reality Will Soon Set In April 14, 1998
by Jack Frodd
(Editor's Note: Jack Frodd, the celebrated sports journalist has been named
our baseball analystist, covering the Montreal Royals year round. This move
was made to show that our newspaper is serious about high profile coverage
and we are pleased to have a familiar face aboard.)
"Let's face it: we have the ingredients to win. We have speed, hitting, a
solid rotation, and most of all, we've solidified our biggest doubt, the
bullpen. There's no question that the acquision of Omar Daal, Joe Hetrick,
Jose Mesa and Matthew Jacobs will do exactly what they are supposed to
do--provide relief. And the trades we didn't make: our rotation is still
the same from last year, but only more solid because Salomon Torres, Kirk
Rueter, Mike Grace and Luis Andujar can only get wiser, more experienced,
and ultimately better."
"As for hitting, we won't have any worries if Ray Lankford recuperates from
last season's injuries. I had a lot of concerns about the lack of depth in
the offense. We are still working on it. Except a deal sometime in late May
or June. We have room to make the trades, but at the present we are very
happy with our ballclub."
"Of course, it call comes down to, 'Can we compete?' We have improved
considerably from last year, but Deadwood and Hartford are still opponents
we will have a tough time handling. We have a chance of competing for a
playoff spot, but it will be a season-long battle."
That was Royals GM Peter Carbonetto speaking at the premier 1998 conference
attended by all the city's sports journalists. Is Carbonetto's opmistism
well-founded or is he simply selling his product?
Maybe the Royal's 1-5 season start is a hint? Well, they may have played
two 2-game series against the Hartford Whalers and the Deadwood Whalers
where they went 1-3, but who are they going to get their wins against?
What... they're going to go perfect against Edmonton? The fact is, the
Royals will have to play almost a third of their games against either
Deadwood or Hartford. Deadwood made smart moves during the offseason and
may come out on top, while Hartford may not have improved, but that doesn't
say much! The Royals will be eating dust this season, sorry to say, but
that's reality.
The Fab Five
The Royals are going into the 1998 season with a relatively unknown
pitching staff: Luis Andujar, Mike Grace, Pete Harnisch, Salomon Torres and
Kirk Rueter. The season's curse may be unpredictability and inconsistency
without a staff ace.
Clemens, plainly, will be sorely missed. Harnisch and Mesa are no
comparison. The Rocket is one of the last remaining genuine leaders in this
league, and even with Randy Johnson on Deadwood's staff, Clemens is still
the prevailing leader. While Harnisch did manage 16 wins (1 less than
Clemens), Harnisch is nothing more than a mediocre unimpressive starter.
Grace collapsed in the second half of last year and it will be a stuggle to
regain momentum, especially without Clemens.
Most of the off-season developments centred around Andujar, Torres and
Rueter, the last three in the rotation, could within reason end up over
.500. The now-solid bullpen will give either of the three bright young
pitchers a chance at a winning season.
Bullpen Comes at Big Costs
Last year, the Royals sent away Clemens for a solid closer, Mesa, but he
has yet to prove that he's one of the best in the league. Then, Omar Daal
for Shawon Dunston. Dunston may have been a defensive liability, but was a
dependable pinch hitter, one thing they no longer have. Then the Royals had
a chance to get a infielder in the draft. Ben Grieve, perhaps? Dennis
Abreu? No... they have to get two more relievers, Matthew Jacobs and Joe
Hetrick. And in the end they settle for (choke) Spike Owen as their utility
pinch hitter.
Without a doubt, the draft was a joke. The Royals did nothing but cram
talent into a solid bullpen, and left the gaping holes to the dogs. Ya,
they may one of the strongest 1-2-3 punches, but as soon as one of them
goes down, they have to settle for a Gil Velarde or a Spike Owen. Sorry,
Carbonetto, you ain't getting any words of praise from me.
So we have one of the best bullpens in the league? I'll throw a truism at
you, folks: there's no relief unless you've got a lead, and the Royals may
have trouble coming up with leads to protect year, especially when they
have to face the offensive forces of Hartford and Deadwood.
