Kansas City Royals Enter Spring Training As Underdogs

Requirements For A Royals Title Run

For the Kansas City Royals to make a run at a title in 2017, they will need career years from at least two of their core players who are now entering their prime seasons. Moustakas is 28, while Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez will see their age-27 seasons in 2017. To me, Mike Moustakas is the player most likely to carry the offense.

Meanwhile, presumptive rotation leader Danny Duffy (28) will need to pitch like the ace he promised he could become in 2016. Alex Gordon needs to make a big comeback from an injury plagued 2016 season. And, most of all, they need to enjoy good health most of the season. They also have to hope that mere health for players like Moustakas, Cain, and Gordon will allow their defense to recapture elite status rather than their merely good performance in 2016.

And, yes, it would help a whole lot if right fielder Jorge Soler finally produces his long-awaited breakout. If any of the above fails, the KC Royals will need some unforeseen miracle seasons from unexpected sources.

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In the end, probably too much has to go right for the Kansas City Royals to make a deep playoff run in 2017. But, like the 2015 team that most pundits expected to return to reality after a miraculous 2014, the 2017 Royals believe in themselves much more than anyone outside their clubhouse.

Next: Eric Hosmer Discussing Extension With Front Office

Maybe, just maybe, they can will themselves to another title run.