What Three-Point Plan?

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't recall ever hearing Allard Baird speak about a three-part plan to return the Royals to contention for the division title. But Bob Dutton's column in the KC Star yesterday makes it sound like every Royals fan knew that we've been languishing in "Phase I" all season, but that "Phase II" was just around the corner—next season in fact.

"We are now at the point where we need to add pieces to our young core group," Baird is quoted as saying in Dutton's column. "We spent this whole year evaluating our young players and learning their strengths and weaknesses. That phase is over."

All I've heard Baird say this season is that he wanted to sign a power hitting corner outfielder and in recent weeks, after seeing the writing on the wall with our horrific rotation, he's been talking about signing two free agent starting pitchers who can make an impact. Where is this "three-part plan" talk coming from?

At this point, I don't even care. Just to hear that we aren't going to stick with this pathetic line up warms my heart.

According to Dutton, "Phase II" is: "Current players will be slotted in terms of their ability to contribute to a playoff-level club. Simultaneously, club officials will review reports and evaluations on potential acquisitions through trades and free-agent signings."

Resigning Matt Stairs is part of that. And with only three guys under contract next season (Sweeney, Berroa, and now Stairs), it looks like we have a lot of options on the table. Of course, the current crop of soon-to-be free agents doesn't exactly look to the type to help a team become a "playoff-level" team. But maybe Baird will indeed be able to work a trade or two. In all honesty though, I'd settle for .500.

With more than $17 million becoming free at the end of this season, and the additional $10 million that Glass claims he authorized Baird to spend, we should have upward of $25 million to improve this club before next season starts. Quality starting pitching will eat that up pretty quickly though.

According to Dutton, here are a few of the starters the Royals will consider signing: Paul Byrd, Kevin Millwood, Steve Trachsel, Jeff Suppan, and Kenny Rogers. Any of them would be a good addition, but I don't think any of them have the capability to put us over the top. They are good pitchers who throw a lot of innings, but they are not dominant. And if you consider our far less than average defense, they won't be eating quite as many innings because they'll be behind more often than they are accustomed to.

We need to sign a solid second baseman (I'll put in another plug here for resigning Graffanino) who can both hit and field. Perhaps Blanco can make the transition successfully. I guess we'll see over the next few weeks. If not, it sounds like Todd Walker and Mark Grudzielanek may be options if we can't resign Graf.

I'd love to see us sign a better third baseman. Mark Teahen, while showing improvement at the plate, is still one of the lightest hitting corner infielders in baseball. His defense is sub-par as well.

Baird continues to emphasize finding a corner outfielder with power. Guiel and Brown would be fine with me, but hey, if someone better comes along, I'll all for it.

And what's after Phase II?

"Now, we're ready to add pieces to our young core," Baird said in Dutton's column. "That's part of the plan, too. If we don't add pieces, that's getting away from the plan. Next year is more about results. "Then comes the final phase: Contending in our division."

So Baird is on record. Next year is about results. I can't wait to see what happens.