Tim Lincecum thought about the seismic shifts of baseball's offseason, the ones that saw Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder migrate to the American League.
The Royals traded outfielder Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for left-hander Jonathan Sanchez on Monday, upgrading their rotation and clearing the way for hotshot prospect Lorenzo Cain to get a chance in center field.
The Kansas City Royals are barely making more than Alex Rodriguez this year. The salaries for Kansas City's 27 players on its opening-day roster and disabled lists total $36.1 million, according to an analysis of major league contracts by The Associated Press.
Royals pitcher Gil Meche retired on Tuesday at age 32, walking away from a $12 million salary rather than face shoulder surgery that could have ended his season before it ever started.
The last time general manager Doug Melvin made a big move that prioritized the present over the future, CC Sabathia carried the Milwaukee Brewers to their first postseason appearance since 1982.
The Milwaukee Brewers are going all in for 2011, acquiring former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke in a trade Sunday with the Kansas City Royals.
Jeff Francoeur was a Sports Illustrated cover boy on the Aug. 29, 2005 issue, billed as "The Natural" while a rookie with the Atlanta Braves.
The Kansas City Royals will open next season with a completely new outfield.
Jeff Francoeur started last season with the New York Mets and wound up in the World Series with the Texas Rangers.
