Royals' patience may pay off soon

It's been 27 years since the Kansas City Royals last reached the playoffs. Chicago Cubs fans are lauded for their patience, but they've enjoyed/endured five postseason appearances since Kansas City's most recent trip to October. Am I alone in thinking the Royals shouldn't be that far away from snapping the drought? Kansas City scored a respectable 730 runs last year with a young lineup that returns mostly intact. The bullpen was dominant at times, even as it was overworked because the starting pitchers averaged fewer than six innings per game. So perhaps the Royals can fix the rotation and take a shot at winning the American League Central right now , following the news that Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez likely will miss the 2012 season. Some baseball observers wonder if the Tigers are newly vulnerable, given that they won't be as explosive without Martinez. But if the question is whether Martinez's injury prompted the Royals to recalculate their ambitions for 2012, th...