Kansas City Royals Positional Battles Heading into Spring Training

The Kansas City Royals have spent quite a hefty sum this offseason, yet still have a few jobs up for grabs. Let us look at these possible positional battles as the Royals get ready for Spring Training.

Everything was great for the Kansas City Royals at the beginning of November. They had just won their second World Series title, avenging their loss in Game Seven during the previous year. The Royals proved that they were more than a one year wonder, running roughshod over the American League for most of the regular season before transforming into the Cardiac Kids when the playoffs began. It was amazing to watch, and an experience that no Royals fan will forget.

However, given the plethora of free agents that the Royals had, those good feelings ended quickly. Dayton Moore and the Royals front office were facing a critical offseason, and had plenty of work to do. Even though they lost players like Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist, the Royals were able to retain Alex Gordon, while bringing in Ian Kennedy and Joakim Soria. Moore is certainly intending on keeping this window of opportunity open for a couple more years, at least.

Yet, there are still holes on the Royals roster. Spring Training will have an added significance this season, with several positions open for competition. For a team that is looking for their third consecutive American League title, it is going to be an interesting six weeks in Surprise.

Let us take a look at the possible competitions heading into Spring Training, and the competition that the Royals have for those potentially open positions.

Next: The first revolving door

Right Field: Jarrod Dyson vs. everyone

As things currently stand, Jarrod Dyson is pencilled in as the Kansas City Royals starting right fielder for the 2016 season. He has certainly waited for this opportunity, serving as the Royals fourth outfielder for the past four seasons, using his speed to produce a career .255/.320/.343 batting line with 146 stolen bases.

The problem is that Dyson offers virtually nothing else but his speed offensively. Likewise, Dyson has a career .211/.288/.249 batting line against lefties, meaning that Paulo Orlando is likely to get a decent amount of work in a platoon role. But is this really the best option in what has been a revolving door for the Royals?

There are also plenty of other internal candidates for the job. Minor leagues Brett Eibner and Jose Martinez could get a long look, not just for a backup spot on the roster, but for the starting job. If Reymond Fuentes is healthy and over his illness, he could be in the mix, as could Travis Snider, who was recently signed to a minor league contract.

Even if Dyson begins the season as the starter, he may not keep that job all year. Right field could be a revolving door all year, with the Royals hoping that Bubba Starling can solidify the position beginning in 2017. If Dyson is going to be a starter, it may be now or never.

Next: Who will be the fourth and fifth starters?

The back end of the rotation: Danny Duffy vs. Kris Medlen vs. Chris Young

Last season, the Kansas City Royals won the World Series seemingly in spite of their starters. Royals starters had a 4.34 ERA, 22nd in baseball, while their 912.2 innings ranked 24th. The answer to those issues this offseason – replace Johnny Cueto with Ian Kennedy.

While Kennedy, Yordano Ventura and Edinson Volquez are entrenched in the top three spots in the rotation, the hoped for improvement would come from the fourth and fifth starters. There, we find Kris Medlen, Danny Duffy, Chris Young, and possibly Miguel Almonte, Kyle Zimmer and Dillion Gee all hoping to earn a place in the starting rotation.

While the Royals have not counted out the idea of Zimmer getting a chance in the early part of the 2016 season, the battle is likely to be between Duffy, Medlen and Young. Young performed well last season, but the Royals managed his innings last season to keep him from wearing down. Duffy regressed mightily last year, and may be a better option in the bullpen. Medlen, meanwhile, has had two Tommy John surgeries, which could prove to be a problem as a starter.

Chances are, even without injury concerns, the back of the Royals rotation will continue to be a revolving door until Zimmer, Almonte or another of the young starters are ready to take their place. The issues from last season still appear to be present.

Next: Building on a strength

Who fills out the back of the Kansas City Royals bullpen?

Over the past three years, the Royals bullpen has been a true strength. They made sure to keep that advantage this offseason, signing Joakim Soria to give the Royals a potentially dominant trio with Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis. However, beyond that trio, there are a number of question marks in the Royals relief corps, to the point where they have been looking for additional bullpen help.

Even though Luke Hochevar and Tim Collins are essentially locks to make the Royals, both have question marks. Collins is coming off Tommy John surgery, and his career 5.2 BB/9, declining strikeout rate (from 12.0/9 in 2012 to 6.4/9 in 2014) and 1.398 WHiP do not inspire confidence. Hochevar will be another year removed from his own surgery, and will look to build upon his 3.73 ERA and 1.283 WHiP.

Should the Royals go with a seven man bullpen, one final spot would be open after the battle for the starting rotation is figured out. Should Duffy be the odd man out, the Royals would have that second lefty reliever they may need. Otherwise, options like Brian Flynn and Scott Alexander could get a longer look. The young starters, like Zimmer and Almonte, may also be candidates for that final bullpen spot.

Next: Did the Royals tank to win?

For most teams, that final reliever is not a major concern. However, the Kansas City Royals pride themselves on their strong bullpen, making this decision one that could matter over the course of the season.