David Glass may have a reason to increase the Royals payroll

Earlier in the season, as the trade deadline was approaching, David Glass gave Dayton Moore the green light to add more payroll in trades if it would be enough to send the Royals into the playoffs. As it turned out, the big acquisitions, Jason Frasor and Josh Willingham, did not result in a large uptick in salary. However, that does not mean that, if a bigger move was needed, that the checkbook would remain closed.

Right now, the Royals find themselves in the American League Championship Series, set to face off against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday for the right to go to the World Series. Kauffman Stadium has been packed during these playoff games, and Kansas City is gripped with Royals Fever. It is truly something special to see.

As it is, this display may be eye opening for David Glass as well. Although the Royals have almost tripled their payroll since 2011, they still ranked 19th overall heading into the season. It was certainly a lot better than being at the bottom of the league as they Royals traditionally have been. Yet, it would be nice to see the Royals in the midst of the chase for some of the premier talent that could be available, either in free agency or via trades, this offseason.

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Perhaps this run through the playoffs will be the catalyst to open the checkbook further. With a true ace in James Shields, and one of the best bullpens in baseball, the Royals have managed to go from mediocre in 2012 to contenders in 2013 into a legitimate playoff team this year. While Shields is expected to depart via free agency, and the expensive team options on Wade Davis will need to be picked up, it does not necessarily mean that those players will not be replaced.

With the Royals potentially looking at openings in the starting rotation and in right field, it may be that the payroll increases again. Having made the playoffs for the first time in 29 years, and in the midst of an amazing run, this is the time to capitalize upon such success. Resigning James Shields, bringing in top talent, or both, would help prove to the Royals fans that this run will not be just a once in a generation occurrence. While there are certainly high hopes for the young talent, both at the major league level and in the minors, being able to augment the presently solid core with top talent could help the Royals remain a mainstay in the playoffs.

David Glass was known as being a slave tot he bottom line. Maybe this time, as he sees his revenues increasing with a run through the playoffs, Glass will spend the money needed to keep the Royals in the postseason.