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.

The Royals have went out so far this winter and they have made good moves that have strengthened their team. Here is a look at the new guys they have brought in so far for 2012:

In the field: The Royals have signed Yuniesky Betancourt. He will likely bump Chris Getz from the utility infield role he had last season. Adding Betancourt could also light a fire under Alcides Escobar in 2012. The Royals also recently signed 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff to compete with Mike Moustakas for the starting 3B job in 2012 this spring. I really like that move too.

On the mound: The Royals needed help in the starting rotation so they dealt Melky Cabrera to the Giants for lefty starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. Sanchez has a huge upside and he will fit in nicely near the top of the Royals’ rotation in 2012. The Royals also added righty Jonathan Broxton and lefty Jose Mijares to an already excellent bullpen.

Overall: I really like the moves that the Royals have been making this winter. I think they are a darkhorse team for 2012 with an eye on the playoffs.

The Royals have signed 30-year old righty swinging 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff to a minor league deal. He will compete with Mike Moustakas for the starting 3B job this spring. If sent to the minors, he can opt out of his contract if he is not in the majors by May 1st. Kouzmanoff played in 73 games for the Rockies + A’s last year and he was 55 of 234 (.235 avg, .656 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 7 homers, 33 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 672 games in his first six years in the majors and he is 633 of 2,478 (.255 avg, .720 OPS) with 265 runs scored, 85 homers, 361 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. This was a good move for the Royals who have an eye on making a run at the playoffs in 2012.

The Royals have signed 27-year old lefty reliever Jose Mijares to a 1-year deal. He pitched in 58 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 0-2 with a 4.59 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Mijares pitched in 186 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 3-6 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Mijares will team with Tim Collins in the bullpen in 2012, giving the Royals a nice pairing of power lefty arms.