Signing Erik Bedard Could Make the Royals a Contender in 2010

The Kansas City Royals, believe it or not, could contend for the American League Central division in 2010. Of course, as with any small-market team, a lot of things need to go right, and very few things can go wrong, if it's going to happen.

In 2009, aside from a fast start through the middle of May, and a Cy Young season by ace Zack Greinke, the Royals' season was a forgettable one.

Last year's key preseason acquisitions, Coco Crisp and Mike Jacobs, were disappointing to say the least, with both hitting just .228 in a combined 614 at-bats.

Additionally, while one former first-round pick thrived in his third season in Billy Butler, another lost his season early to injury in Alex Gordon. Gordon played in just 49 games at third base, and while Butler came into his own offensively, Gordon once again failed to show the plate discipline that made him an All-American at the college level.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the 2009 season for the Royals was the lack of a true No. 2 pitcher behind Greinke.

Gil Meche, in the third season of a five-year deal paying him $55 million, had his worst season as a Royal, winning only six games in 23 starts. Of all the Royals starters, with the exception of Greinke, only Brian Bannister had an ERA under five.

The Royals still believe another former high first-round pick, Luke Hochevar, will be a solid starter for this club.

Hochevar, and the addition of another highly regarded young arm in Aaron Crow, will potentially give the team two solid starters in the near future.

However, if the Royals want to contend in 2010, they won't be able to rely upon these two youngsters just yet. They need Meche to pitch like he did in 2007 and 2008, and they need to acquire a solid No. 2 starter behind Greinke.

The pitcher who Moore should target in free agency is Erik Bedard.

Bedard, who has only pitched in 30 games the past two seasons and whose 2009 season ended in July with a shoulder injury, could be an excellent option for the Royals in 2010.

If he can prove to Royals' doctors that he is progressing in his rehabilitation after surgery for a torn labrum, Bedard could be a dominant complement to Greinke in the Royals rotation. Bedard is a strikeout pitcher who has a career ERA of 3.71 and has won 51 of his 92 career decisions.

The Royals haven't been able to find even a mediocre left-hander for their staff in the past several seasons, and Bedard could provide them with a dominant one.

Most importantly, and what would make him a great fit for the Royals, is the fact that Bedard's asking price won't be anywhere near the $7.75 million he made with the Mariners last season.

It's possible that the Royals could sign Bedard to a one or two year incentive-laden deal in the $4-5 million range. That would provide Moore a bargain of a deal that could put the Royals in a position to win in 2010, and provide the time needed to get Crow to the majors in 2011 or 2012.

Here are a few other free agents that could help the Royals in 2010:

1. SP—Rich Harden

Always an injury-risk, Harden has been relatively healthy the past two seasons. After dominating in 2008, he struggled during the first half of 2009, but looked like his old self by season's end. Also a strikeout pitcher, he'll be more expensive than Bedard, but he has greater upside at only 28 and can be every bit as good as Greinke in any given start.

2. SP—Jon Garland

A true innings-eater, Garland has started 32 or more games every season since 2002. A solid pitcher who always seems to have one horrendous outing every four or five starts.

3. C—Jason Kendall

The free agent market for catchers is pretty thin, and I still can't figure out why the Royals let Miguel Olivo go. Kendall, who won't remind anyone of Johnny Bench offensively, could provide a solid veteran presence behind the plate for a young pitching staff.

James Adkins is also a syndicated writer for the Sports Page Network. To see James' recent stories, please visit: http://kcsportscentral.sportspagenetwork.com/Default.aspx