Royals not likely to overhaul ‘10 roster

Lock and reload for 2010. That’s the Royals’ mission.

There don’t appear to be any far-reaching changes coming in the look of the roster. In truth, the Royals thought they were pretty solid coming into 2009 and so did many prognosticators, figuring the club could reach the .500 mark and possibly even contend in the wide-open American League Central.

But injuries struck early and in crucial places — third baseman Alex Gordon, center fielder Coco Crisp and shortstop Mike Aviles were key regulars who went down early. The alternatives were thin, there was a scramble to improvise and other players didn’t fulfill expectations.

Even so, don’t look for any earth-shaking revisions. General manager Dayton Moore’s contract has been extended through 2014, and he won’t be in a panic mode.

There are some big decisions ahead. Crisp, despite being hampered by sore shoulders, made a good impression as the leadoff hitter and center fielder. But he underwent surgery on both shoulders and the club holds an $8 million option on his 2010 contract. If the medical reports are good, the best guess is that the Royals will decline the option and instead try to sign Crisp at a reduced price with a contract laden with incentives that could get him back to that $8 million range.

The Royals also have to decide on whether to bring back first baseman-designated hitter Mike Jacobs, whose power numbers didn’t measure up to the notices, and sort out the three-man catching staff of Miguel Olivo, John Buck and Brayan Pena

Click here to read the full article – By Dick Kaegel of MLB.com

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