Riding on the back of Zack Greinke, the Royals are looking to become relevant again. Unfortunately, they may have to wait a couple more years.

Offense

Billy Butler, a slugger who came into the league three seasons ago, will look to build upon his first strong, complete season in the majors. Butler hit 21 homeruns last season while driving in 93 RBIs for one of the worst offensive teams in the league.

On top of his power, Butler also can hit for the average (.301).

While pitchers will start to throw to him with some respect, look for Butler to break the 30 home run mark this season.

Kansas City has been waiting for third baseman Alex Gordon to reach his potential for three seasons now. In 2007 and 2008 Gordon showed promise by hitting 15 and 16 homeruns while driving in 60 and 59 RBIs, but was injured for a large portion of 2009 and was sent to the minors because of it.

He will start the season back in the majors (where he already has an injured thumb), but if he cannot produce this year the Royals may have to put a fork in what they thought would be their most prized prospect.

Unfortunately for the Royals, the rest of their lineup is filled with veterans on the decline.

Jason Kendall, who hit just two home runs with 35 RBIs and a .241 average (while also dealing with marital problems), will be the starting catcher.

Jose Guillen, who is 33 years old Jose Guillen and hit nine home runs and drove in just 40 RBIs, will be the designated hitter.

And Scott Podsednik, who hit seven home runs with 48 RBIs a year ago and at 34 years old is slowing down, will start in left.

David DeJesus, who led the team with 71 RBIs last season, will start in right, and Rick Ankiel, who is now 30 years old, will start in center.

This team is old, and if the Royals’ season goes south quickly, look for an infusion of farm players to get some starts down the stretch.

Pitching

Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young winner, is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. His ridiculous ERA (2.16) and strikeout total (242) in 2009 make him one of the most feared pitchers to take the mound.

He even managed to win 16 games with the Royals providing the run support. Greinke is a stud, and he will only get better as he understands the game more and more.

Unfortunately for the Royals, Greinke represents the only true bright spot in their rotation.

No other starting pitcher posted an ERA below 4.00 last season (if it was not for Brian Bannister and his whopping 4.73 ERA, no one would be below 5.00).

Gil Meche, who the Royals paid big bucks for in 2007, lost his form last season. If he is going to be the second start in this rotation, he will need to return to his 2008 form (14 wins, 183 strikeouts, 3.98 ERA).

As of now, Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, and Bannister will likely be rounding out the rotation. If these three do not find a way to lower their ERAs, manager Trey Hillman will have to look elsewhere for starting pitching.

Beyond Greinke, Joakim Soria is the best pitcher in the Royals’ staff.

The Kansas City closer saved 30 games with only 3 blown last season, while keeping his ERA down. Soria will continue to rack up the saves as his offensive teammates will rarely be able to score better than three runs than the opposing team.

Prediction:

Beyond the stellar play of Zach Greinke, there is little to be excited about for the Royals’ 2010 season.

Kansas City has not finished the season above .500 in over a decade, and an improved Billy Butler and Alex Gordon can only help them so much.

In a division with three strong teams there is no room for the Royals. Zach Greinke will be great, but the mediocre play of the rest of the team will keep them in the cellar of the AL Central.