Kansas City Royals: Looking for Love In the Wrong Places

Like any Chicago Cubs fan will tell you, there is no love in October. This, however, isn't about those guys. This is about another team whom October hates, only these guys can't catch the love train anytime after Spring Training.

This is about a group of less lovable losers, yet for some reason, I'm thinking 2009 might be their year. Not their year to win the World Series, or even nail down a playoff spot, but at least score a winning record.

The group of short bus All Stars I'm talking about happens to be the Kansas City Royals.

They have already made one big move by shipping Leo Nunez to Florida for hard-hitting Mike Jacobs, who posted 32 home runs, 93 RBI's. He will be a better than average designated hitter and I think they will pull off a few more moves.

They need to find a No. 2 or No. 3 starter, or perhaps that elusive ace, and I think they can. Randy Wolf, Freddy Garcia, Paul Byrd, or even Randy Johnson or Ryan Dempster could find themselves pitching for the Royals next season. Okay, maybe not Johnson, but the other four most definitely have to be on the radar.

Also, I'm not ruling out Jon Garland, and that'd be a kick in the pants to White Sox fans.

As far as hitters are concerned, I'd keep them in mind as it comes to a shortstop. Furcal and Renteria are tempting as far as "trick or treat" players come, however, you never know if you'll get the trick or the treat when it comes to them.

If I were Dayton Moore, the Royals GM, I'd go after Orlando Cabrera and Casey Blake. Both are going to be reasonable when it comes to price and can make an immediate impact.

So yes, 2009 will come and along with Chicago, I'll be reading, watching, and listening. If only for just a Jacobs homer or for the new ace to strike 10 batters out, but maybe for a win.

As it comes to having a crush on a sports team, I think I've found a love for the unwanted, the teams better off hiding their faces, but these Royals show me something else. For the first time since George Brett, these Royals have hope.