The Royals need to hit right now in a big way. The Chiefs are going through a PR nightmare and are down. The Cardinals, even though they won the World Series, just lost the best and most popular player in Pujols. The time is ripe for the Royals to win over the hearts of alot of Missouri sports fans.

Yeah, I'm really kind of shocked that he even said anything. If we can lock up Hosmer & Moose long-term, I'll be really really really happy. I don't think Gio, Escobar, Cain, etc. will cost a lot whenever it comes to that and I expect them to be signed unless they don't pan out or want the moon. Signing Hos & Moose, on the other hand, would at least show me that the team is interested in winning on some level, which would be a gigantic step up from what I've seen my whole life.

Thing is, I used to see Royals stuff all over campus at K-State early in the spring when I was there (and friends at KU, MU, WSU, etc. said the same), but by the time the fall came around, no one was wearing it because the team was 25 games out of first. I feel like there's a bunch of Royals fans who are just waiting for the team to win to show their support.

But yeah, big season for more reasons than one.

I'm hoping that slogan works out and next year isn't "Our Time. We Mean it this Year!"

It would be especially nice for them to be competitive this season since they have the All-Star Game.

It would be sweet to see Hos in the HR derby.

Despite being a hated Yankees fan, I have always rooted for the Royals do to the KC connection. On top of that I always really liked the look of the K, especially when I was next to it at Arrowhead.

That season a few years ago when you guys had the great start, I felt like a lot of the country was rooting for you. The Royals being good, just for the league in general, would be fun. I always feel like a young team, especially one without recent success, breathes life into the league.

Its such a shame. If baseball had a fair stystem for all teams, it would be such a blast to watch. As much love as the NFL gets, it seems on average baseball has a much more unpredictable playoffs year after year than the NFL(although this year the NFL has had such). On that subject, its also a shame that with the weather and long season that such a small amount of teams make it in.

With your division combined by the effort your team seems to be making and your talent, you guys seem to be well timed to make a run. Hell, even the East has teams like BOS and NY that have their own issues. TOR seems like they will be tougher, but its not like playing the East is going to be the murder it has been in other years. If you get into the playoffs, who knows what happens.

I think you're underestimating what it could take to keep Escobar. He is the best defensive SS in the game. If he can establish himself as a .260 hitter, he is going to have a ton of money thrown his way.

Word around St. Joseph is Butler could still stand to lose about 20 pounds. I guess when you are Healthy and productive it doesn't really matter. Rather him by fat and all the field instead of ripped but on the bench. *Gives a dirty look to Tebow Mike Sweeney*

Nice to have some Royals conversations back on the airwaves.

Mike MacFarlane on with Petro today talking Royals. Claims Crow has changed his body, gotten bigger, stronger. He expects him to remain at the back end of the bullpen.

http://www.810whb.com/page.php?page_id=98

Big "if," isn't it? But yeah, you're right.

I'm just excited that we're even thinking about extensions for Moose & Hos this early.

They get don't hang onto Escobar I am done with this team. Arguably the best defensive SS in the league. You don't let that kind of player go.

A lot can change in the next four years.

Escobar could blossom into a .270 (And basically be Elvis Andrus, and a prime extension candidate - btw, this is what I think is probably going to happen).

Or he could continue to be a .250 hitter and they could have a good option behind him in the system by the time his team control expires.

High-quality SS prospect out of ASU in this coming draft. If he's there, he would be worth the selection in case Escobar regresses.

From the "gee, I don't want to celebrate another guy's misfortune, so how should I react to this" department:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/0...or-season.html

Victor Martinez is out for the entire 2012 season. This might make catching the Tigers just a little easier.

Oh wow, that's a pretty big blow to them.

Cannot wait! If Royals ever want to be worth something to the fans. NOWS THE TIME!