The Royals have released 27-year old righty reliever/starter Kevin Pucetas. Pucetas pitched in 33 games (12 starts) in AAA-ball for the Royals last year and he was 6-6 with 1 save, a 4.98 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He has now pitched in 153 games (128 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 53-26 with 2 saves, a 3.91 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. The Royals shouldn’t miss Pucetas too much going forward.

The Royals have dealt 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Greg Golson to the White Sox for cash considerations. Golson played in 9 games for the Yankees last year and he was 2 for 11 (.182 avg, .432 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 stolen base. He also played in 105 games in AAA-ball last year in which he was 101 of 384 (.263 avg, .716 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 8 homers, 33 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Golson wasn’t going to make the Royals’ opening day roster, so they did him a favor while making some cash on the side by dealing him to the White Sox.

The Royals have acquired 32-year old righty swinging catcher Humberto Quintero and 30-year old righty swinging 2B/OF Jason Bourgeois for 24-year old lefty reliever Kevin Chapman and a player to be named later. Quintero played in 79 games for the Astros last year and he was 63 of 262 (.240 avg, .575 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 2 homers, 25 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 379 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 252 of 1,075 (.234 avg, .589 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 15 homers, 94 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Quintero will split time behind the plate with Brayan Pena until Salvador Perez is ready to return to action. Jason Bourgeios played in 93 games for the Astros last year and he was 70 of 238 (.294 avg, .680 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 1 homer, 16 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He has now played in 192 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 105 of 401 (.262 avg, .631 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 2 homers, 22 RBIs and 46 stolen bases. Bourgeios will likely be the Royals’ #4 outfielder in 2012 and he can also fill in at 2B if needed. Kevin Chapman came into last year as the Royals’ #18 prospect according to Baseball America. He pitched in 40 games (0 starts) in A+AA-ball last year and he was 1-4 with 10 saves, a 4.94 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. This was a good deal for the Royals as they were desperate for catching depth. Getting Bourgeois in this deal was a bonus as his speed and versatility will help the Royals in 2012.

The Royals are hoping for improvement out of their starting rotation in 2012. They only added one starting pitcher over the winter (lefty Jonathan Sanchez) but they are hoping that some of their pitchers step up this year. Here is a look at the starting rotation as of right now:

#1: Bruce Chen: 34-year old lefty Bruce Chen has found a new lease on life from the Royals. He pitched in 25 games (all starts) for the Royals last year and he was 12-8 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Chen has now pitched in 75 games (57 starts) in his first three years with the Royals and he is 25-21 with 1 save, a 4.28 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Chen was signed by the Royals after the last World Baseball Classic with his career on life support, but he has made the most of his opportunity and the Royals hope he keeps up the good work in 2012. Chen has pitched in 317 games (169 starts) in his first 13 years in the majors and he is 60-58 with 1 save, a 4.52 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.

#2: Luke Hochevar: 28-year old righty Luke Hochevar finally stepped up a bit last season. He pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Royals last year and he was 11-11 with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Hochevar has now pitched in 100 games (96 starts) in his first five years with the Royals and he is 30-43 with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. The Royals are hoping that Hochevar continues to improve in 2012.

#3: Jonathan Sanchez: 29-year old lefty Jonathan Sanchez came to the Royals in the Melky Cabrera deal over the winter. He pitched in 19 games (all starts) for the Giants last year and he was 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Sanchez has now pitched in 174 games (118 starts) in his first 6 years in the majors and he is 38-46 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Sanchez has only given up 607 hits in his first 708 innings in the majors while whiffing 736 batters, as he has outstanding stuff. But, he has also walked 376 batters as his control often gets him into trouble. If the Royals can get Sanchez to tame the flame, he will likely be the best starting pitcher on the team in 2012.

#4: Felipe Paulino: 28-year old righty Felipe Paulino pitched solid baseball for the Royals last year. He pitched in 21 games (20 starts) for the Royals in 2011 and he was 4-6 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Paulino pitched in 39 games (20 starts) overall for the Royals and Astros last year and he was 4-10 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He has now pitched in 86 games (54 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 10-31 with a 5.28 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. The Royals are hoping for improvement out of Paulino in 2012.

#5: Danny Duffy: 23-year old lefty Danny Duffy is going to try to win the #5 starter job this spring. He has by far the best stuff of the pitchers competing for the job, but he needs to tighten up his control a bit before he’s going to be consistently productive. Duffy pitched in 20 games (all starts) for the Royals last year and he was 4-8 with a 5.64 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. He gave up 119 hits and walked 51 batters in only 105 1/3 innings while whiffing 87 batters last year. The Royals want Duffy to win the #5 spot in the rotation, but they aren’t going to just give it to him.

Sean O’Sullivan: 24-year old righty Sean O’Sullivan has been pathetic his whole major league career so far. He pitched in 12 games (10 starts) for the Royals last year and he was 2-6 with a 7.25 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. O’Sullivan has now pitched in 26 games (23 starts) in his first two years with the Royals and he is 5-12 with a 6.63 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. He has now pitched in 43 games (34 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 10-14 with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. If O’Sullivan starts any games for the Royals in 2012, they are in deep trouble.

Vin Mazarro: 25-year old righty Vin Mazzaro might finally see the light this season. He pitched in 7 games (4 starts) for the Royals last year and he was 1-1 with a 8.26 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP. Mazzaro has now pitched in 48 games (39 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 11-18 with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. Mazzaro has talent, he just hasn’t really learned how to pitch yet.

Everett Teaford: 27-year old lefty Everett Teaford is probably a longshot for the rotation in 2012. He pitched in 26 games (3 starts) in his first taste of the majors last year and he was 2-1 with 1 save, a 3.27 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Teaford looked pretty decent in three late season starts for the Royals as he was 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.19.

Luis Mendoza: 28-year old righty Luis Mendoza got two late season starts for the Royals last year and he was 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He has now pitched in 6 games (2 starts) in his first two years with the Royals and he is 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Mendoza has now pitched in 38 games (16 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 6-9 with 1 save, a 7.36 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: C

The Royals have signed 32-year old righty reliever Roman Colon to a minor league deal. Colon pitched in 27 games in AAA-ball for the Dodgers last year and he was 2-1 with 3 saves, a 4.85 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Colon pitched in 48 games (0 starts) in 2009 and 2010 with the Royals and he was 2-3 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. He has now pitched in 121 games (8 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 8-10 with 1 save, a 5.12 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Colon is going to have a hard time trying to earn a job in the bullpen this spring as the Royals are pretty loaded in that area.