Late Innings

News item from today, the Rockies extended Ubaldo Jiminez to a four year contract worth 10MM. If the two option years are extended (one of them being a free agent year), it’ll be worth over 22MM. It’s a move that I love (12-12, 3.99 in 2008), and I was expecting a big year out of him last year, though I bet on Franklin Morales instead.

As we all know by now, the Royals locked up Zack Greinke yesterday. Granted it’s an expensive contract (especially in comparison to Jiminez’s at 38MM), but fans and statisticians loved the deal, especially with Greinke coming off of a very good year. Actually many people loved the deal, especially the depressed Royals fans (here’s one, here’s another.

I’ve said a few times on this blog that I secretly loved the work that Dayton Moore has done. Again, here’s one, here’s another. I actually liked the Jose Guillen signing, and though 2008 was bad, I expect him to bounce back. They have a good rotation, an improved lineup, and one hell of a closer who should be starting. This team has a great amount of talent, and have been quietly improving, especially over the last three years:

If you give them a 4% for 2009 over the previous season, the Royals are a .500 team this season. However I’m going out on a limb here. Put me down for 87 wins. I like the Royals. They will surprise. They will be this year’s Rays. Yes, I know I say this every year, but Moore assembled quite an interesting group. And coupled with Trey Hillman’s player-friendly personality, this team will be going places, especially in a weak AL Central.