Royals: Positional battle, Whit Merrifield on the move?

Will the Kansas City Royals put a new(ish) glove at second base, sending a fan favorite out to patrol the fields of Kauffman Stadium?

The Kansas City Royals had a disappointing 2019. For the second year in a row, they racked up 100 losses, and it was pretty clear early in the season that the team was nowhere near ready to contend for the postseason. The season did have some good moments, though, to instill some confidence for the future.

Along with some top moments and broken records, the 2019 season did something else important. It made the areas where the Royals lack painfully obvious. Pitching took the top spot on the weakness list, obviously. First base was also an area where the team struggled.

Second base was never really an issue. There may have been some movement throughout the position, but at the end of the day, Whit Merrifield was still around. Come spring training, though, the Royals may have to answer some questions about who will be in the spot full time.

As was said, fans saw some movement through second in 2019, just like most positions for the Royals throughout the season. Merrifield saw himself playing other spots on the field and some have to wonder if this won’t turn into a more permanent gig for him.

On top of that, Merrifield’s likely replacement, Nicky Lopez saw 76 games at second in 2019. There is no telling what the Royals will do in 2020 under a new manager and new ownership. Once spring training arrives, though, some big decisions will have to be made. Let’s break this position down a little further and see who might make an appearance at second in 2020.