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Coming off their surprising run to an 83-win season, the Kansas City Royals find themselves in a strange position this spring.

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In part, that's because it might take only 85 wins to prevail in the American League Central. More important, though, it's a tribute to the successful rebuilding job overseen by Royals general manager Allard Baird and manager Tony Pena.

"We haven't done anything yet," said Baird. "That was basically the theme that we presented to our players. Do we feel that we're a better club? Yes, on paper. But we have to stay healthy, No. 1, and No. 2 we have to do it. But the atmosphere, the culture has been great."

After eight consecutive losing seasons, all it took was one third-place finish to change the perception around the Royals. Season-ticket sales have risen 35 percent (and counting) since last season, with club officials expecting to blow past the 10,000 mark by opening day.

Proven veterans Juan Gonzalez, Benito Santiago, Matt Stairs and Scott Sullivan, among others, signed free agent contracts in Kansas City over the winter. Fellow veterans Jason Grimsley, Joe Randa, Kevin Appier, Brian Anderson and Curtis Leskanic all re-upped after getting a taste of the Royals' resurgence last summer.

Now it's time to take the next step, much like the Minnesota Twins did after their 2001 renaissance. But, Baird cautioned, it won't happen without continued improvement from the kids.

"We've given our young guys a good supporting cast, but it's still going to be our young guys that make the difference," Baird said. "It's still going to be Angel Berroa and Ken Harvey and Jeremy Affeldt and Mike MacDougal and D.J. Carrasco. I know some of the new names are flashier, but if our young guys do not have productive seasons, it doesn't really matter."

DREW NOT THROUGH: The Braves are excited about J.D. Drew, whom they picked up in the deal that sent Jason Marquis and fellow pitchers Adam Wainwright and Ray King to St. Louis.

Drew hit five homers in his first five games this spring.

Drew's surgically repaired right knee is doing well.

"I feel good, and I'm seeing the ball good, which is key," Drew said. "It's important to build your confidence down here and get it going. Hopefully it'll carry over."

EXTRA INNINGS: One rival GM says he expects Dodgers counterpart Paul DePodesta to dump at least two of his three weakest hitters before opening day. "Out of (Alex) Cora, (Cesar) Izturis and (Dave) Roberts, I'll bet two of them will be gone. Cora has a career on-base percentage of just .301. Izturis (.270) is even worse."

• New Padres lefty David Wells recently was spotted in the mosh pit at a Metallica concert in Phoenix. Though Padres officials were a little surprised Wells would put himself at risk while slam-dancing after offseason back surgery, they realize it comes with the territory. "His contract prohibits spelunking, but not mosh-pitting," Padres GM Kevin Towers said.

• Oft-injured Orioles first baseman David Segui on fans' perception of his $7 million salary: "I don't apologize for what I make. Nobody was apologizing to me when I was playing for under my market value. I put the numbers up at the right time to get the contract I got. I didn't have a gun. I didn't force anybody to sign me."

Baseball calendar

March 17 - Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days' termination pay instead of 45 days.

March 30-31 - Opening series, N.Y. Yankees vs. Tampa Bay, Tokyo.

March 31 - Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2004 salary.

April 4 - Opening day for other teams. Active rosters reduced to 25.