Royals Playoff Run Will Be More than a One Year Appearance
By David Hill
The Kansas City Royals needed to make several upgrades this offseason. Their power, or lack thereof, was thoroughly laughable. James Shields and Nori Aoki were likely to depart as a free agent, and Billy Butler was signed to a three year contract by the Oakland A’s. Dayton Moore had his work cut out for him.
And he has delivered. Moore brought in Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios to help solve the Royals offensive woes. Edinson Volquez was brought in to, if not replace Shields, be a suitable member of the rotation. Kris Medlen, if healthy, could be a bargain not just in 2016 and 2017, but in the latter half of 2015. It’s an exciting time for the Royals and their fans!
But is this enough to keep the Royals in contention? We certainly think so, but that is a question that is being asked on non-Royals related sites. Yet, while the Royals have, at this point, proven they are no longer the same, penny pinching team, some places are still thinking this is the same old Royals.
More from KC Royals News
- KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
- KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
- Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
- KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
- KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update
However, Christina Kahrl of ESPN is not falling into that trap. Not only does she feel that the Royals will compete next year, but that they will be even better than they were in 2014. Yes, the Royals, who posted their best season since 1989, are expected to be even better by a national writer. It’s a minor holiday miracle!
Based on their moves, she is correct. The Royals should be better. Their rotation, once Medlen returns, will be deeper. The bullpen, which at times was entirely dependent upon the three headed monster at the back end, is much deeper. The offense, which at times resembled something from the deadball era, has the potential to actually make the opposition actually respect their power. In fact, the Royals may well be the class of the American League Central.
It had been a very long time since the Royals made the postseason. Based on these moves, a return trip to the playoffs could be expected. At the very least, it is expected on one platform.