Heading into spring training, the Kings will bring in 19 batters and 12 pitchers, already down in the minors this year are first baseman Ron Wright and pitchers Matt Anderson, Jose Paniagua and Jaime Bluma.

The outfield appears set with Larry Walker moving to leftfield, Brady Anderson patrolling center and Jay Buhner in right. First base will be a platoon of Jeff King and Wally Joyner. Second will be Eric Young and don't count out Graffinino getting some at bats there and playing late innings to make up for Young's defense. The Kings seem commited to younster Cruz at short with veterens David howard and ozzie Guillen backing up, though neither is likely to see too much action. Third will be a platoon just like the other corner, with Bill Mueller and Tim Naehring playing. Sandy Alomar will handle most of the catching duties with Greene and Pratt backing up. Berroa figures to DH vs lefties and Chad Curtis will probably play some both ways, but Jeff King will most likely be the main DH versus righties.

Pitching is another story: Pitching coach Steve Rogers has brought in only 12 pitchers this year. The probable starters are Oliver, Morgan, Reynolds, Schmidt and Person with possible starts made by Hamilton and Henry, possibly even the expected middle man Stephenson. Blackburn predicts a good amount of work this year for Jeff Shaw as the team's closer. Sodowsky will be able to provide soem relief innings as well. Rusch and Villone will probably spend most of teh year travelling with the team but not suiting up. "I like both lefties" Rogers said "but both could uyse a little more work before they start pitching in the regular season." No one really sticks out as a number one starter, but neither Rogers nor Blackburn are worried.

Everyone is excited down here in Florida as the Kings prepare to begin their inaugural season. Count on a strong defensivce team and some offensive fireworks courtesy of Larry Walker and Sandy Alomar, but these Kings won't wait for the three run homer. Blackburn promises exciting baseball both on offense and defense.

"Memphis is a blue-collar town," Blackburn said "and we're going to give them a blue-collar team." Some blue suede shoes wouldn't hurt either.