KC Royals: The many mysteries of a baseball January

The beginning of every new year confronts the KC Royals with a multitude of questions, and this January is no different.

It is now January, usually the final month of baseball’s winter before February ushers in spring training and the buddings of a new season. Baseball this January, however, is far different than it was a year ago—COVID-19 hadn’t yet exploded in America or the game in 2020’s first week but now renders uncertain just when the KC Royals and other clubs will open spring camp and then the season, and just how long the season will be.

It seems, however, that the upcoming campaign will be longer than last; the question is more “when” it starts than “if.” So January’s period of transition, when thoughts slowly start turning from free agency and trades to the season itself, begins anew. For the Royals, this January carries more promise than those of the recent past, and the month’s questions aren’t the same as they were this time last year.

Take, for example, last winter’s signings of relievers Trevor Rosenthal and Greg Holland, moves best described at the time as the latest in the seemingly never-ending line of General Manager Dayton Moore’s reclamation projects. The pair of cheap, low-risk acquisitions generated little more than skepticism bordering on bewilderment, but turned into excellent moves.

This month, however, rings with the welcome news Holland will be back, and Rosenthal’s return, the chances of which aren’t good, would be greeted with just as much, if not more, glee. Success, as always, changes everything.

What other January questions did 2020 answer, and which do 2021 bring? Let’s take a look.

This year, not as many January questions surround the KC Royals’ bullpen.

Uncertainty swirled around the Kansas City bullpen as 2020 began. Ian Kennedy’s successful 2019 transition from starter to reliever didn’t guarantee a repeat performance in 2019, especially because he’d pitched only one game in relief before ’19. Whether Glenn Sparkman would start or relieve (or both) was unknown. Would Kyle Zimmer stay in the pen and, if so, could he remain healthy? And would the club’s efforts to salvage Trevor Rosenthal and Greg Holland succeed?

Even a short 60-game season provided definitive answers. Rosenthal knocked Kennedy out of the closer’s role as soon as the campaign began; Kennedy had a miserable 0-2, 9.00 ERA year.  Sparkman pitched just four times in an injury-shortened season, was released in late November, and is now with the Twins. Zimmer pitched superbly out of the pen (1-0, 1.57, 1.04 WHIP in 16 games) before landing on the Injured List in late September. And Holland successfully assumed closer duties when the club traded Rosenthal to the Padres in August.

What of the coming campaign? For now, Holland faces the same type of question that confronted Kennedy last January—can he repeat his good season as closer? The answer depends primarily on Holland himself, but could be answered by Rosenthal if he decides, unexpectedly, to return, in which case Holland could be moved to a setup or seventh inning role.

Then there’s Josh Staumont. Can the owner of the fastest Royal fastball have a second straight excellent season? He went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA (188 ERA+) in 26 appearances and should be the setup man for Holland, and possibly Rosenthal in the unlikely event the latter returns.

The other major question is Zimmer’s health. Right elbow neuritis hit him late last season. Look for him to be ready for spring training.

Although there weren’t pressing questions at some infield positions last January, there are now.

The biggest non-pitching questions about the KC Royals last January concerned catching and first and third bases. Those questions have been answered for 2021: Salvador Perez made a wildly successful return behind the plate after missing 2019, recently signed Carlos Santana probably solves the first base puzzle and, barring further moves, Hunter Dozier is back at third.

New questions, however, have surfaced for 2021.

Nicky Lopez’s future at second base

Little was heard about second base last January because, for the most part, there weren’t major concerns. Nicky Lopez claimed the spot as his own in 2019 with superb defense and, although his .240 average was low, his rookie status excused it. His glove was even better last season, but his shockingly disastrous year with the bat (.201/.286/.266) suddenly clouds his prospects.

How long the KC Royals will tolerate a weak bat in favor of excellent middle defense is the second base question for 2021. For now, Lopez’s wizardry with the glove outweighs his shortcomings at the plate, but the club won’t wait forever for him to improve.

Health and hitting at shortstop

The only mystery at shortstop last winter was Adalberto Mondesi’s health after his injury-plagued 2019 season. Now, it’s his hitting that befuddles the KC Royals.

Mondesi, considered the franchise future by many, pushed injury concerns aside (for now) by playing in all but one of Kansas City’s 60 games in 2020. But like Lopez, he struggled at the plate; only a torrid .356 September enabled him to finish with a .256 average after entering the month at .186.

Yes, Mondesi proved he can hit, but the question he must answer in 2021 is whether he can do so for an entire season.

The KC Royals probably had fewer questions about their outfield last January than they do now.

The identity of Kansas City’s left fielder was never really in doubt last January: most assumed Alex Gordon would return and he did via the one-year deal he signed just days before the month ended. Gordon’s retirement, though, creates one of the biggest questions about the 2021 club.

The Royals are blessed with a stable of young, talented outfielders, but General Manager Dayton Moore’s conspicuous quest for a strong lefthanded bat continues, and left field is a likely spot for any suitable lefty Moore might find. Franchy Cordero might be the most obvious internal choice, Whit Merrifield can play left if necessary, and Hunter Dozier probably ends up there if Moore signs or trades for a lefthanded-hitting third baseman.

For now, the mystery continues.

Who plays center field?

The prevailing view last January was that Merrifield was KC’s center fielder of choice. But for several reasons beyond his control, not the least of which was Dozier’s move from right field to first base, Merrifield found himself in right more often than center. Consequently reopened, then, is the question of who the center fielder will be.

The Royals’ late November signing of Michael A. Taylor seems to have answered that query, at least as long as Taylor proves he can hit consistently. He flashed some power in 2017 with 19 home runs and hit 14 in 2015, but those two seasons account for most of his 53 seven-year career homers. And his career .237/.291/.395 slash isn’t what most clubs want from an everyday center fielder. So the 2021 center field questions are whether Taylor will hit and, if he doesn’t, will his defense be good enough to permit the Royals to overlook a weak bat in an essential spot?

It’s a new January with new questions for the KC Royals. Hopefully, those questions will be easily answered.