C'Mon Chen

Well in the last week or so it seemed inevitable, and now Bruce Chen has resigned with the Royals. I don't hate Bruce Chen, I really don't, but I have to ask what good does signing Bruce Chen for 2 years do. He has been a good pitcher for us that has won some games. Still that is more of our pitching staff has been bad, than Bruce Chen has bee great. The Royals would like to compete in 2012, and to do that they have to have a better pitching staff. Danny Duffy, Luke Hocheaver, Felipe Paulino, and Jonathan Sanchez need to live up to their potential. Still that might not be enough so they needed either Mike Montgomery or one of the other young pitchers to slide in that fifth spot to give them a true competitor. Bruce Chen gives them around 10 wins and unless the rest of the staff is perfect that won't allow us to compete. All Bruce Chen does is block the youth from coming up and  that does nothing for this team going forward. I don't think this is as bad of a signing as a Jose Guillen or a Mike Jacobs, but it does nothing for this team going forward. The window is open now and every move Dayton Moore makes has to put us closer to competing. This doesn't stop us from being in the division, but it is not a move that puts us in a class with the Tigers or even the Indians pitching staff.

Who is number 5 by Shawn Rebman

The Royals have set the majority of their starting rotation going into the 2012 season. Luke Hochevar is the likely opening day starter followed by the newly acquired Jonathan Sanchez, Felipe Paulino, and Danny Duffy. That leaves, baring an injury or serious regression, one spot up for grabs. Where do the Royals turn for this final spot?
 They could look in free agency, but at this point the only interest they have is Bruce Chen. I don't hate Chen and he has value because he can move to the bullpen, but I have a feeling we won't get the 2011 Chen again. Also he will likely cost a two year deal. We do not need two years of Chen blocking potential youth in the minors from showing us what they got. Which leads me to the direction I would like to see the Royals look in the 2012 season. You have in house options that are potentially way better than Bruce Chen. If Mike Montgomery can take the step straight out of spring training than that immediately benefits the Royals greatly. Now Montgomery struggled in AAA last year at times, but he has great stuff and eventually needs to be a part of this team. If he is not ready out of spring training then the 5th starter can be either Luis Mendoza, Everett Teaford or Aaron Crow can hold down the fort as well if not better than Bruce Chen. The bottom line the Royals need an Ace to step up. I don't know if the Royals have one yet, but what I do know is Bruce Chen is not that ace.