The last Royals Confidence Index (RCI)* for the 2008 season is a season low 4.64. 

A slow decline in most categories has turned into a steep drop off.  Confidence is down across the board, except for the minor league system, undoubtedly because of a productive draft and the signings of Melville and Hosmer.  The greatest variance was seen in our opinions of the Royals defense and the Royals future (standard deviation = 1.7).  The most agreement was with regard to our feelings on the Royals hitting (SD = 1.0) and pitching (1.1).

Bonus questions (these have no bearing on the RCI):

A.     Which positions do you think should be the Royals top three priorities for offseason acquisitions.  (Please rank the top priority #1, the second #2 and the third #3).

Outfield 27 (35%)

Starting pitcher 24 (31%)

First base/Designated hitter 12 (16%)

Middle infield 7 (9%)

Catcher 4 (5%)

Relief pitcher 3 (4%)

Using MVP scoring (#1 – 3 pts, #2 – 2 pts, #3 – 1 pt)

Outfield 70 pts

Starting pitcher 39 pts

First base/Designated hitter 27 pts

Middle infield 11 pts

Relief pitcher 5 pts

Catcher 5 pts

B.    How many plate appearances do you think Kila Kaaihue will have with the KC Royals in 2008?

Average = 17

C.    How many plate appearances do you think Kaaihue will have with the KC Royals in 2009?

Average = 220

D.    What is the percentage chance that Eric Hosmer’s contract gets voided?  (0-100%)

Average = 7.4%

Well, that’s it for the RCI for the 2008 season.  Starting with October, the RCI questions will be about the 2009 season.

* Without going into too much detail, the RCI is computed by taking each of the below averages, weighting them appropriately (the team number is weighted highest, then piching and hitting, then the rest) and crunching them into an overall average.