2008 Kansas City Royals season

MLB yearly infobox
name = Kansas City Royals
season = 2008
misc =

current league = American League
y1 = 1969
division = Central Division
y2 = 1994
Uniform logo =
ballpark = Kauffman Stadium
y4 = 1973
city = Kansas City, Missouri
y5 = 1969
owners = David Glass
managers = Trey Hillman
television = FSN Kansas City
radio = KCSP 610 AM|

The Kansas City Royals' 2008 season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Nippon Professional Baseball) manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071022&content_id=2276225&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals introduce Hillman as new manager] "MLB.com", 22 October 2007.]

The team looked to improve upon its record of 69-93 from 2007. The team's payroll for the 2008 season was estimated around $57 million.Associated Press. [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280331106 Cabrera homers in Tiger's debut but Royals prevail in 11] "ESPN.com", 31 March 2008.]

Despite another last-place finish in 2007, the Royals sought a breakout season in 2008.Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2308351&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc KC hopes for Winter Meeting encore] "MLB.com", 28 November 2007.] Renovations to Kauffman Stadium were ongoing throughout the 2008 season and will be completed in time for Opening Day in 2009.

Following the team's 81st game, the mid-way point of the 2008 season, the Royals had a 37–44 record. The closest the team managed to crawl back to a .500 record after their 9–6 start to the season was within 6 games in mid-July. After compiling a 7–20 record in August, the Royals were eliminated from recording their first winning season since 2003. However, an 18–8 record in September let the Royals finish with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003.

Offseason

Coaching search

Quote box
quote =I'm a hungry guy...I do not like to lose. I like to start from the ground up and build, and build in such a way that it's going to be maintained for many years to come.
source = — Trey Hillman at his introductory press conference, October 22, 2007.
width =33%
align =right

Buddy Bell announced his resignation at the end of the 2007 season after serving two and half seasons with the Royals. Early candidates to assume the manager's position included Royals bench coach Billy Doran,Dutton, Bob. [http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/299177.html Finding a manager tops Royals' offseason checklist] "Kansas City Star", 1 October 2007.] former Royals star Frank White, and Triple-A Omaha manager Mike Jirschele. Former Major League managers such as Joe Girardi, Jim Fregosi, Ken Macha, and Jimy Williams were also in consideration. Trey Hillman, whom was considered a sleeper candidate, was chosen on October 19. Hillman was interviewed in 2007 by Texas, San Diego and Oakland. He was mentioned as a possilbe successor to Joe Torre with New York. Hillman had never played, coached or managed in Major League Baseball prior to his hiring by the Royals.

Winter meetings

The Royals entered baseball's winter meetings in December 2007 with José Guillén and Andruw Jones atop their free-agent prospects list. [Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2319508&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals win one, lose one] "MLB.com", 6 December 2007.] Torii Hunter was also considered by Kansas City before signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Royals signed Guillén to a three-year, $36 million contract, while Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The acquisition of Guillén was the Royals' only major move at the winter meetings. Just before the meetings, the Royals had ministered to another need by signing reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option for 2010. [Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071128&content_id=2313319&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Yabuta signs two-year deal with Royals] "MLB.com", 28 November 2007.] Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2320278&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Guillen deal spanned Winter Meetings] "MLB.com", 6 December 2007.] Yabuta, from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, was seen as the likely successor to David Riske in a right-handed setup role. Riske left the Royals for a three-year, $13 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. [Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071205&content_id=2318284&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Riske departs with deal from Brewers] "MLB.com", 5 December 2007.] Hiroki Kuroda was on the Royals' radar, but several other teams were in pursuit as well,Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071127&content_id=2312688&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals join hunt for Kuroda] "MLB.com", 27 November 2007.] and the Dodgers signed him first.

In the Rule 5 Draft, the Royals picked up left-handed pitcher Ray Liotta from the Chicago White Sox.

Roster moves

"Kansas City avoided arbitration with all of its players for the 2008 season."

* C John BuckKaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=2350983&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Three Royals exchange salary figures] "MLB.com", 18 January 2008.] Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2308795&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals Winter Meeting checklist] "MLB.com", 28 November 2007.]
* 1B Ross Gload
* IF Estéban Germán [Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080129&content_id=2359494&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals sign utility player German] "MLB.com", 29 January 2008.]
* IF Jason Smith (released)Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071212&content_id=2324066&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals sign Duckworth, Smith] "MLB.com", 12 December 2007.] Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080104&content_id=2339856&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals cut ties with infielder Smith] "MLB.com", 4 January 2008.]
* OF Mark TeahenKaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080207&content_id=2367716&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals sign pitcher Zack Greinke and outfielder Mark Teahen to one-year deals] "MLB.com", 7 February 2008.]
* OF Emil Brown (released) [Kaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071212&content_id=2323570&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Brown's days with Royals end] "MLB.com", 12 December 2007.]
* LHP Jorge de la Rosa
* RHP Zack Greinke
* LHP Jimmy Gobble
* RHP Brandon Duckworth
* RHP Román Colón
* RHP Luke HudsonKaegel, Dick. [http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080108&content_id=2341877&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc Royals, Hudson agree on contract] "MLB.com", 8 January 2008.]

*(x) = club option for 2008
*(m) = mutual option for 2008
*(y) = player option for 2008

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