"It's now been seven days and counting since the Detroit Tigers shook up the American League by agreeing to a nine-year deal, $214 million deal with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.

The megacontract for Fielder, a former Brewers slugger, came nearly a week after the Tigers lost designated hitter Victor Martinez because of a season-ending knee injury. And if there was any doubt before, the addition of Fielder made things quite clear: Detroit will be favored to win the AL Central for a second straight year.

This, of course, is not good news for the Royals, who had emerged during the offseason as a 2012 sleeper after a solid finish in 2011. Still, general manager Dayton Moore says, the Royals won't make any reactionary moves.

Moore, however, did suggest that things could always change if the Royals' young talent continues to develop and the team is contending into the summer months. Let's say, for instance, the Royals went into the All-Star break near the top of the standings."