[alnorth]

Royals expect to compete for AL Central title

Don't tell the players that they are shooting for 2013 or 2014.

"It's a big year for the Royals," designated hitter Billy Butler said. "We have expectations and we're expected to finish a lot better than any year I've been here. So it's exciting and it means we're preparing to play for the American League Central [title], and anything less is unsatisfactory, so how can it not be exciting? We have the talent to do it. We know what team we have to go through -- that's Detroit. Not downgrading anybody in the American League Central but we're the next team, right behind Detroit."

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"We're expecting to compete this year," right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. "Last year was one of those things where you say the right things, but I think we all felt like last year was a chance to get some of the young guys up and really experience it but when you see guys like Hoz [Eric Hosmer] come up and do what he did."

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But could fans be expecting too much too soon?

"No. Absolutely. We expect everything and more than they expect in this locker room," Hosmer said. "Obviously Prince [Fielder] is over with Detroit and all of that, but we feel like we've got to worry about what's going on in this locker room first. If we control what we can control -- and that's us going out and working hard every day and getting wins -- we'll be fine after that."

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"I heard someone say the other day that [Danny] Duffy and Hoch [Luke Hochevar] and some of these guys have got a chip on their shoulders because everybody talks about the pitching," Francoeur said. "And my answer to that is, 'Good!' I hope everybody's got a chip on their shoulder. When you finish 20 games below .500, you better show up with a chip on your shoulder."