Perhaps the signing of 20-year-old pitcher Noel Arguelles, a top prospect from Cuba who towers over his opposition at 6’4/220lbs, is a sign that the Kansas City Royals are finally beginning to turn things around. In making this uncharacteristic signing and essentially gaining a second 1^st round pick through the southpaw, they have sent a message that they are willing to play hardball with powerhouses such as the Yankees and Red Sox who were also coveting the young lefty.

However, if the Royals wish to play that same type of ball with the rest of their division, they’re going to need more than a Cuban giant—who will most presumably begin the season at Class A Wilmington—and a lot of players to step up and play to their full potential.

Given the state of the AL Central, nothing is necessarily out of the question in terms of how much success the Royals may have in the upcoming 2010 campaign. There is no true dominant force in the division, and it looks to be up for grabs to anyone. Besides the Indians of course, who are absolutely abysmal, and have paraded their way down the slippery slope to holding the status of—in my opinion—“worst team in the MLB” (minus the Pirates, who I do not even consider an organization anymore).

Like I said though, for the Royals to have any shot whatsoever, they’re going to need a lot to go right for them, and that starts with their rotation. Zach Greinke is as good as it gets but the absence of that solid number two starter behind him does not bear well for their chances. Gil Meche simply does not cut it and to put it bluntly, imploded in 2009. The Royals cannot bank on the hope that Meche will return to his 2007/2008 form, especially coming off a season ending injury, and it is imperative that the front office fills this void either by making a move, or turning to the free agent market. Watch for Luke Hochevar to have a breakout year, who showed glimpses of brilliance in an otherwise disappointing 2009 campaign.

On another note, I cannot stress enough the importance of the Scott Podsednik and Jason Kendall additions to the team. Kendall will be an essential asset to the development of the pitching staff, more specifically Hochevar and Arugelles (depending on his initial progress), and will shore up the defensive side of the ball as he is regarded as one of the better game-callers and his blocking skills are very good as well. Given that the Royals had a big issue with balls making their way towards the backstop in 2009, this could be crucial in their bid to be a competitor; they led the majors with 89 wild pitches and 14 passed balls. Podsednik will obviously provide that spark at the top of their order and will give them a legitimate leadoff hitter who is a game-changer on the basepaths. Look for up and coming centerpiece Billy Butler to have a lot more RBI opportunities because of this.

With all this said, the key to whether or not the Royals will be a legitimate contender in the Central is whether or not Alex Gordon shows up or not. To this point he has far from lived up to the hype he entered the league with and is arguably coming off of his worst season in 2009 where he severely underperformed and was cut short by what might has well have been season ending hip surgery. If he even lives up to half of what he was advertised, it would only bode well for their success.

My prediction? Vast and dramatic improvement from last season, yet only a third place finish behind Minnesota and Chicago. Not as bold a statement as KC fans might desire, but I just don’t believe the Royals have the staff or the offensive firepower to withstand that of the Twins and Sox. Nevertheless, I would not be astonished if they pulled off a feat similar to that of what the Tigers did from 2005-2006 in which they came out of nowhere—last place more specifically—to win the Central the next year. There is potential in Kansas City, but whether that potential will be tapped or not remains to be seen. Only time will tell.