This is amazing. If Cleveland plays .500 ball the rest of the way, they win the division.

The Royals look at Robinson pretty much the same way they looked at Kila... he's a prospect with some big question marks but good minor league production (side note: If either Moose or Hosmer play all season at AA, Robinson doesn't win the HR crown).

Might as well play out the string with Kila and make sure he's not going to do his usual "It takes me one full year to be worth anything at this level" thing.

I'm calling it now: Minnesota and Chicago are both out. The AL Central is Cleveland's to win, with Detroit and KC chasing them.

Since the 1930's, 246 teams were 6 or more games back by May 1. 5 of those teams came back to win their division. (~2%) The Twins and White Sox aren't 6 games back, they are TEN freaking games back. It is really tough to get that far back by the end of April.

I don't think KC wins this division, but lets suppose Cleveland ends up not being as good as they look now and start losing games? In that case, our division ends up being completely terrible and 84 games might win it. Throw in some key callups after the all-star break, and who the hell knows.

You could atleast cite or quote Rany for this

One thing that we have going for us is that Davies is so terrible. Replacing him with one of the youngsters immediately makes us a markedly improved team day 1. The guy is one of the worst starting pitchers in the history of the game, and we are above .500 while running him out there every five days.

This team has about a 1 in 5 chance of winning the division, IMO. Cleveland is legit, but they will come back to earth a bit at some point. Our rotation could include Mazzaro, Duffy, Lamb, and Montgomery at some point this season, and our lineup will include Hosmer.

What if Cleveland comes back to Earth? What if Hosmer comes up and rakes? What if our rotation is Hochevar, Montgomery, Lamb, Mazzaro, and Duffy? What if Escobar starts hitting just a little bit?

If our infield becomes Betemit, Escobar, Aviles, and Hosmer, I think that's just enough punch to work. Escobar's glove is phenomenal, and Hosmer's defense should make up for below-average gloves at second and third.

If we play 2 games under .500 from now until June 1st, I don't think it's that far-fetched to hope that we could be a better team the last 4 months of the season.

No question.

Guarded optimism, but this could turn into one hell of a fun summer. (Wonder what number Starling will wear?)

ROFL

I'm calling it now. Minnesota at least 2nd. Would not be surprised to see them win it.

What have you seen from Minnesota that makes you think they are going to make a run at the division? They Royals just pounded them into submission. They have a 10 game stagger to overcome, and I haven't seen any sign of life from them.

He's up over 250 at bats if you include last year (when he batted .217 in 180 abs). This may be what he is. I wouldn't run him out of town on a rail just yet, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't turn out to be anything but a AAAA hitter. That's pretty much what I've always expected, but I'd love for him to be more. More talent is never a bad thing.

Joe Mauer and Delmon Young on the disabled list makes a huge difference. The Twins could very well come back from this. The division is weak.

today on 610, Fescoe was calling for Dayton to start making moves - not only bringing the young guys up, but trading for starting pitchers. "The Royals are in the race at the end of April, they don't get these opportunities every year, gotta take advantage".

This isn't really significant, except that he is a complete moron, and I hate him.

Sums up Fescoe nicely

One thing if you have watched Nathan and Mornau play is that you are not guar·an·teed the same Gordon or the same Butler next year, they could get hit in the face by a ball or some crazy shit. So it would be nice to make a run this year.

Are we buying Gordon now?