What the Royals Should Learn from the Phillies

It is now the hot-stove season for Major League Baseball clubs. During the next several weeks teams will sign free agents and make trades in an effort to improve. It is also the time of year for Royals fans to begin singing the small market blues, whining to anyone that will listen that because of their small market limitations there is no way they can compete with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels. These folks need to stop crying because the 2008 Phillies proved that a team can build a World Series championship team without throwing big money at free agents.

The following table shows how the 2008 World Series championship team was assembled:

PLAYER	POS	ACQUIRED	YEAR
Carlos Ruiz	C	Signed by Phillies as a non drafted free agent	1998
Ryan Howard	1B	Drafted by the Phillies-5th round	2001
Chase Utley	2B	Drafted by the Phillies-1st round	2000
Pedro Feliz	3B	Signed as a free agent	2008
Jimmy Rollins	SS	Drafted by the Phillies-2nd round	1996
Pat Burrell	LF	Drafted by the Phillies-1st round	1998
Shane Victorino	CF	Rule 5 draft selection-from the Dodgers	2004
Jayson Werth	RF	Signed as free agent-non tendered by Dodgers	2006
Cole Hamels	SP	Drafted by the Phillies-1st round	2002
Jamie Moyer	SP	Trade from Seattle	2006
Joe Blanton	SP	Trade from Oakland	2008
Brad Lidge	RP	Trade from Houston	2008

The Phillies have drafted well, made smart trades, signed reasonably priced free agents, and found a good player in the Rule 5 draft. It should also be noted the Phillies payroll to start the 2008 was only 13th in the Major Leagues.

The Kansas City Royals should be following a path similar to the Phillies. Instead of wasting money on free agents like Jose Guillen and trading for below average players like Mike Jacobs, the Royals need to refocus their efforts and financial resources on the draft, scouting, and player development. This process will require a financial committment from owner David Glass and intelligent decisions by GM Dayton Moore. But with patience and a willingness to stick to the plan the Royals can indeed build a contending team.