Royals banking on millionaire Meche
One man on the Royals practice field Thursday morning looked familiar. Same right arm, the one that oozed potential and made him a first-round pick in 1996.
Same broad shoulders, the ones that carried those unfulfilled expectations for a full decade in the Mariners organization. Same 55 spread across his jersey.
Ever since the Mariners assigned Gil Meche that number in 1999, it has represented injury and struggle. Now, it represents something else — opportunity and prosperity, after Meche signed a five-year, $55 mmillion contract with Kansas City this offseason.
"Hopefully, I'll be the guy who goes somewhere and turns his career around," Meche was saying later in the clubhouse, his new team preparing to face his old one. "So I don't have to hear anybody say 'He has potential' anymore.' "
There is some stuff about some visits to teams and how the free agent market went crazy.
Asked who he misses in Seattle, Meche says "a bunch of guys," then mentions only the training staff. He also thanked the organization for its patience "through injuries, through pitching bad, through getting sent back down."
It's clear those days are already behind him now.
The Royals haven't officially announced an opening-day starter, but Meche should get the nod, at home, against the Red Sox.
Interesting
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