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Carlos Est\u00e9vez received his Kansas City welcome last season.<\/p>\n
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His introduction to KC barbecue was filled with the usual fan favorites: Joe\u2019s Kansas City, Q39 and Jack Stack among the list. Then, there were the local parks. Est\u00e9vez got a firm understanding of why KC is dubbed the \u201cCity of Fountains.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Est\u00e9vez enjoyed his indelible slice of KC culture. It left him wanting more and he already has one major attraction circled<\/a>: The historic Negro Leagues Museum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI always wanted to go to the Negro Leagues Museum,\u201d Est\u00e9vez said. \u201cAnd we had a lot of off days on Monday, but they are closed on Mondays. So, I\u2019m going to go this year.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A year ago, Est\u00e9vez signed with the Royals<\/a>. He was a late offseason addition as the club sought to bolster its bullpen. The Royals gave Est\u00e9vez a two-year deal and he rewarded them with a career season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez led the majors<\/a> with 42 saves. He posted a 2.45 ERA in 67 games and made his second All-Star appearance<\/a>. And, just as important, Est\u00e9vez became a reliable bullpen anchor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was a great year,\u201d Est\u00e9vez said. \u201cEveryone knows, but at the same time, that\u2019s in the past, man. New year, we are going to step it up from here and keep going. You know, take the positives from last year and build on that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez enters his 10th season. He is a vested MLB veteran but is quick to point out that his success isn\u2019t guaranteed. It requires work and preparation to pitch at the big-league level, and that\u2019s why Est\u00e9vez took detailed notes this offseason.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He analyzed his performance. The self report highlighted ways to perform efficiently while maintaining daily availability. It\u2019s a formula that has worked in the past \u2014 most notably when Est\u00e9vez pitched seven times in a 10-day stretch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust taking notes on what I did good, you know, attacking the (strike) zone and being available a lot,\u201d Est\u00e9vez said. \u201cIt\u2019s just being able to keep my team in the game and that kind of stuff. I think that\u2019s what I\u2019ve got to focus on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez will once again be surrounded by veteran teammates. The Royals added relievers Matt Strahm, Nick Mears and Alex Lange this offseason. They will each have a key role in helping the Royals finish games.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The new additions have created excitement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Est\u00e9vez knew Strahm from his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, and the duo will likely handle the bulk of the backend work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe did get better,\u201d Est\u00e9vez said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to say because last year we were really good as a pitching staff. I\u2019m excited to see what this year brings.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n