The KC Royals made the big splash of acquiring James Shields and Wade Davis from the TB Rays to sure up their sub-par rotation.

So say these two make the Royals rotation a formidable five-some. What about the offense?

DH Billy Butler did his thing in 2012, but added some power. Shortstop Alcides Escobar had a career year and left fielder Alex Gordon rebounded from an awful start to hit .294 and lead the league in doubles. Catcher Salvador Perez returned from injury to hit .301.

However, there are so many question marks on offense.

Which Eric Hosmer will show up in 2013? Can Mike Moustakas limit the cold spells? Who will replace Jeff Francoeur in right field if he continues to struggle at the plate? Will anyone stay healthy in centerfield?

And what about second base?

It seems to always be a revolving door at second base for the Royals. Chris Getz may be good defensively, but I’m not sure he is an everyday player. Johnny Giavotella hits in the minors, but has yet to translate that to the big leagues. Christian Colon is playing second base almost exclusively in winter ball and could be the answer in the future. Irving Falu hit in his brief 2012 callup and is currently hitting in winter ball.

But if the Royals want to truly compete in 2013 and are REALLY going for it, why not sign a former batting champ to hit in one of the first two spots in the order? Sure, Freddy Sanchez has spent more time over the last few years in the doctor’s office than on the field, but when healthy, he is a .300 hitter.

Sanchez will come cheap, as he wants to prove he is healthy and will most likely jump at a one year deal. If they sign him, Sanchez will help fill out manager Ned Yost’s lineup card and help the younger hitters around him. He’s also a pretty good defender (just four errors over 109 games in 2010).

Oh and he has two World Series rings (2010 and 2012 with the SF Giants).

If things don’t work out, the Royals can always trade him at the trading deadline to a contender or release him altogether.

I really think the Royals could use his leadership, his winning attitude, and his abilities (when healthy). Sanchez is a low risk, high reward player that could push the Royals into the playoffs.

Via the Royals on Twitter

Aaron Crow being interviewed during BP by the guys from MLB Network

Well, there isn’t a whole lot to be recapped considering the KC Royals had just one representative for the MLB All-Star Game. That one man was rookie reliever Aaron Crow. Crow was one of 18 players on the American League squad that attended their first ever MLB All-Star Game (a total of 34 first-timers). Check out the MLB.com article on Crow from media day, along with video. I didn’t see Crow on the red carpet show, as the All-Stars arrived via the Chevy trucks. You can also check out video of Crow’s interview after BP on Monday night.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander may have gained some Royals fans after his good deed on Sunday. Verlander had a private plane to take him and some of his Tigers teammates to Phoenix for the All-Star Game following Sunday afternoon’s game in KC. Verlander offered a ride to the first-time All-Star Crow, which he gladly accepted. Verlander told Adam Holt of MLB.com:

“Tides turn and I’m able to take care of some guys now, so I figured it would be a great opportunity to do it,” Verlander said. “I’ve never forgotten those times — the first time being on a private plane going to the All-Star Game is an experience. Just to make some guys happy is something nice to be able to do.”

Yes I took a pic of Crow from my TV

American League manager Ron Washington answered a question at media day on Monday about why he chose Crow over outfielder Alex Gordon. Washington said that the fans and players had already selected the outfielders for the game and when he came to selecting the lone Royals representative, he needed pitching. He did however believe Gordon deserved a shot at being named to the All-Star team and that is why he chose him as one of the five players in the Final Vote. Washington did talk about the use of middle relievers, but he only mentioned the use of NY Yankees reliever David Robertson.

MLB wanted to completely delve into the social media world with  players being encouraged to tweet during the HR Derby on Monday night. They even set up tables for the players to sit at computers during the Derby to tweet. Well, Twitter crashed during the HR Derby, which may have led to some nonexistent tweeting (Texas Rangers pitcher CJ Wilson said he was having reception problems inside Chase Field). I was disappointed that Crow didn’t join in the tweeting, being it was his first time at the All-Star Game. I would have liked to hear his perspective of everything, from media day to BP to the HR Derby. It would have been nice considering the Royals have a few big league players on Twitter, but they don’t actually tweet. The only time they’ve tweeted recently was to encourage fans to vote for Gordon.

via MLB Network

For me, my favorite moments of the All-Star game festivities are the red carpet show (because you get to see the players and their families parade around the host city) and the introductions of all the players (because this could be the only time to see your favorite players if he doesn’t play). I also like the Future’s Game, but I covered that earlier. My favorite red carpet moment was back in 2009 in St. Louis when Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez paraded around with his family. His little boys looked just like him (adorable), complete with spiked black hair.

So on to the game. You saw in one of the above pictures, Crow waving to the Phoenix crowd (via a TV shot). That was all that we would see of Crow as he was not called on to pitch for the AL (I’m highly disappointed). The National League took the win as Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder hit a three-run homerun off the Texas Rangers CJ Wilson in the bottom  of the 4th inning (after Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez hit a solo homerun off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee in the top of the inning).

*My favorite moment of Monday’s MLB All-Star BP session was when Harold Reynolds of MLB Network began his interview with Cincinnati Reds third baseman Scott Rolen. Now Rolen was selected by NL manager Bruce Bochy since both selected third baseman, Placido Polanco and Chipper Jones, pulled out due to injury. Then former big leaguer, and Intentional Talk host, Kevin Millar jumped in and the interview got crazy. People don’t realize how funny (and a dry type of funny) Rolen is.

Millar got on him about not letting him know that he was going to the All-Star Game. “I’m hitting .241…five homeruns at the break…I got hit by a pitch to drive in my only run in Milwaukee.” Rolen said. By looking at him, you could tell how sarcastic he was being. Then he came back with, “I got hot. I went 0-for-3 instead of 0-for-5 to keep my average above .240.” Then Rolen started getting on Millar. “Why do you have makeup on…and highlights. You’re 40. You have four kids.” Millar didn’t have a good comeback.

MLB Network made sure to say that Rolen and Millar are indeed friends.