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Tony Pena was easy to recognize at the recent winter meetings. He was the man who couldn't stop smiling.

Though the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Anaheim Angels and Philadelphia Phillies dominated recent headlines, the Kansas City manager said he believes no team has made more good moves than his Royals.

General manager Allard Baird, who never has had the resources to compete for a high-profile free agent, has upgraded Pena's pitching staff significantly. That weakness was exposed after the All-Star break a year ago when the surprising Royals slid from first place to third in the American League Central.

"We've made some moves that were huge," Pena said. "Re-signing Brian Anderson, that was huge. Adding Scott Sullivan, that was huge. I am so happy with so many of the things we have done. I wish the season started tomorrow."

Preaching belief and togetherness, the perpetually optimistic Pena seemingly willed the Royals to an 83-79 record in 2003. It earned Manager of the Year honors for Pena and ended a run of eight consecutive losing seasons for a once-proud franchise that has not been to the playoffs since 1985.

Baird has added experience to his young roster in every area. Anderson and Kevin Appier, both acquired late last season, agreed to free-agent contracts. They join a rotation that will include left-hander Darrell May and two starters from a group topped by rookies Zack Greinke, Jimmy Gobble, Kyle Snyder, Chris George, Jeremy Affeldt and Miguel Asencio.

"Our starters won't have to carry as heavy of a load with the bullpen we will have," Pena said. "That could be a big difference."

Sullivan, a workhorse during eight seasons in Cincinnati, was stolen away from the Central rival White Sox.

Kansas City also re-signed Jason Grimsley, who was third in the AL with 76 appearances last year. Affeldt could become a key member of the bullpen if he does not regain his spot in the starting rotation.

Baird still is shopping for a hitter to replace Ibanez, who left to sign a three-year deal in Seattle. But he re-signed third baseman Joe Randa and has upgraded behind the plate by signing Benito Santiago to replace Brent Mayne.

Kansas City is talking to the agents for free agents Raul Mondesi and Juan Gonzalez but could allow prospects David DeJesus and Alexis Gomez to compete for an outfield spot.

With Minnesota losing the heart of its bullpen (Eddie Guardado and LaTroy Hawkins) and the White Sox losing all of their free agents, the Royals have put themselves in position to end their playoff drought.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: For the past six seasons, Leon Lee has been the father of the Marlins' first baseman.

Now he's the "grandfather" of the Marlins' first baseman.

Confused? That's understandable, especially after last month's trade that left Lee right in the middle of a classic payroll-for-potential swap. Sent off to the Chicago Cubs was Derrek Lee, Leon's son, a player coming off a Gold Glove season and, at 28, just blossoming.

In return, the Marlins received South Korean slugger Hee Seop Choi, who has called Leon Lee his American grandfather since signing with the Cubs for $1.2 million in March 1999.

"Hi, Grandfather," begins the familiar voice on their weekly calls. "It's Choi. How are you?"

The elder Lee has deep roots in Asian baseball. As a player, he became a legend in Japan, along with his brother, Leron.

Leon Lee spent several years coordinating Pacific Rim scouting for the Cubs, managed last season in Japan and now serves as a special assistant to the president for the Orix Blue Wave.

Of all the Asian players he has signed, Lee might be closest to Choi, 24.

"I made a promise to his father when we signed him," Lee said. "I told him: 'Don't worry, I'll be like his second father. I'll take care of him.' That's really important to the parents in Korea. It's even more important than the money is."