Late Innings

Joe Posnanski is liking what he sees with the Royals so far in Arizona, particularly with their pitching:

People around baseball are beginning to come around to the idea that the Royals’ pitching staff has a chance to be pretty good in 2009. They have a potential ace, a strong veteran starter, a couple of young pitchers who can emerge, a bullpen filled with power arms and the best closer west of Mariano Rivera.

I won’t disagree with any of those claims. Heck I’ve been saying it all along (to many ridicule), I love Kansas City to win the division in 2009. I think they got a good core of players together. Any ways Posnanski brings up one last point about their bullpen, which is still good, sans (league min relievers) Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez:

“I think the Royals have the best bullpen in the division,” a scout says. “They have power arms, they have lefties, they have a great closer. Their bullpen was pretty good last year when I saw them, but I think it’s better this year.”

It’s good. It’s the best bullpen west of Boston. It’s a shame that a Juan Cruz signing made people suddenly think that this team is good…