So lets say the royals go to the playoffs, i think it would be this roster that made it happen: (because this is ideal i'm going off of ceilings for this year)
1b-hosmer/billy butler
2b-colon/tejada (i really think colon is going to break out this year, i also think hes the best long term answer until someone like calixte comes up)
ss-escobar/colon/tejada
3b-moose/tejada (is this what it feels like to have a real util infielder?)
C-salvy/kottaras
RF-frenchy/cain
Cf-cain/dyson
lf-gordon/cain
SP-shields
SP-paulino
SP-guthrie
SP-Duffy
SP-ventura
rcl-holland
rp-herrera
rp-zimmer
rp-crow
rp-collins
rp-sherril
rp-hoch (i really think hoch could be an excellant rp and double as long man)
rp-davis

i think chen and mendoza santana are good trade candidates when zimmer/ventura come up and duffy paulino get back. I see this as a pretty strong roster especially if hoch is good in the pen and they get rid of the low ceiling guys.