KC Royals: Five Biggest Weaknesses At The Break

Jul 12, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Kansas City Royals mascot “Sluggerrr” waves a Royals flag after the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With the KC Royals set to begin second-half play Friday in a double-header versus Chicago, I thought this might be a good time to take stock of the team headed into the July 31 trade deadline.

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The Kansas City Royals have enjoyed their best first half since 1976, when the Royals had a franchise-best .622 winning percentage and a 51-31 record. At 52-34 (.605 winning percentage), the 2015 KC Royals lead the Central Division by 4.5 games over the Minnesota Twins, and 9.0 games over 5-time defending Central champion Detroit.

The Kansas City Royals also have the best record in the American League.

The team is in position to win their first Central Division title in franchise history. According to Fangraphs.com’s projections, the  KC Royals have an 68.2% chance of winning the division, and an 83.8% chance to make the playoffs.

Despite their first-half success, the Kansas City Royals 2015 roster still has weaknesses that could cost them a Central Division title, or even a playoff bid. However, after the team’s run through the 2014 playoffs to the World Series, the organization has it’s sight set on the franchise’s first championship since 1985.

The Kansas City Royals need to seize this opportunity to win it all

Winning the division, or even the American League pennant isn’t enough. With the A.L.’s best record and a playoff-seasoned roster, the Kansas City Royals need to seize this opportunity to win it all.

KC Royals general manager Dayton Moore cannot afford to sit on his hands. Look for Dayton Moore to be more active than he ever has been at  the trade deadline in order to finish “The Process” he began when he took over as KC Royals general manger in 2006.

The following are the top five first-half shortcomings that Moore could possibly address in the next two weeks to prepare his team for the stretch run, and the 2015 playoffs:

Next: Power Off The Bench