Feb 20, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals players Eric Hosmer (35) and Jason Hammel (39) pose for a photo during spring training photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Repeating as the champion in any sport is difficult. Baseball is no exception. The Kansas City Royals learned that firsthand last season as they aimed to be the first team to repeat since the turn of the century Yankees. They were unable to accomplish that feat, going 81-81. But, in 2017, they look to get back to their winning ways that saw the Royals win the pennant both in 2014, and 2015.
Going into the season the Kansas City Royals face a lot of questions about their future. Clearly the main headline of the their offseason was the tragic death of young pitcher Yordano Ventura in the Dominican Republic in January. The fiery right-hander was an integral part of the 2015 championship, and will be remembered for his Game 6 performance against the Giants. A close knit club, the Royals will have to find a way to unite going forward, and a celebration of Ventura's impact such as the likes of Eric Hosmer at the World Baseball Classic will most certainly be a part of the upcoming season.
While young pieces remain bright for the core of players that built the Royals into being a power in the American League, 2017 is crucial in determining the future of what could be the next ten years of Royals Baseball.
Team leaders such as Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain all hit free agency after this year. All of these players grew in the Royals system, and while most would assume they would be returning, the markets on all the players could be substantial, and difficult decisions will have to be made.
How the team fares in 2017 could go a long way to determining how the Royals choose to allocate their salary going forward.
Mar 11, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Jorge Soler (12) bats against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
B Moss In KC
Adding Brandon Moss to the Royals lineup should give depth, and tax opposing pitchers a lot this season. The veteran Moss made an All-Star game in 2014 with the Oakland A's and is coming off a 28 home run season with the Cardinals. He should give the Royals flexibility at first base and the outfield. This was a strong move as Moss replaces some of the power lost with the departure of Kendrys Morales.
Staying In Blue Colors
The Royals have a lot of the core group on the roster with playoff, and World Series experience, but it never hurts to add even more. They did just that by bringing in Jason Hammel, Jorge Soler and Travis Wood fresh off their World Series win with the Chicago Cubs. The much unheralded Hammel was one of the Cubs less talked about key contributors as their fifth starter during the regular season. He won a career-high 15 games last season, and should see a larger role as the third starter in Kansas City.
Travis Wood was another excellent move to bring in. Wood was a fan favorite in Chicago with his key performances in long relief during the postseason. He even clubbed a home run in the NLDS last season against the Giants. While he hasn't been a starter regularly since 2014, Wood has been an All-Star in the role in his career, and has some good years still ahead of him to contribute.
Jorge Soler came to the Cubs as one of the most coveted Cuban players in the last ten years. While he displayed flashes of the flair and power that most expected, it was never unleashed on a consistent basis. With more playing time and a fresh start, Soler could finally come into his own with the Royals after being acquired in the deal that sent closer Wade Davis to Chicago. The promise is still there, and it wouldn't come as a surprise if Soler emerges in 2017.
The Future
Raul Mondesi Jr might be the player that the Royals build around up the middle of the infield, and it will be interesting to see how his 2017 unfolds. Some feel that it would behoove young Mondesi most to start in Triple A, as colleague Leigh Oleszczak explained over at KC Kingdom. With his emergence, it could soften the blow of losing one of the key looming free agents in 2018.
Back End Of The Rotation
The Royals are also hoping a returning Jason Vargas, and the addition of Nate Karns shores up the starting rotation which is definitely a point of concern going into 2017. If Karns and Vargas can be solid contributors, it could have a big impact on whether Kansas City can play important baseball in September and October.
Mar 9, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Wade Davis (71) gets ready to pitch in the fifth inning during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
New Closer
The Royals saw some key talent get away in the off-season as difficult decisions were made. Wade Davis will continue to play for the defending champion as he was sent to Chicago. Losing Davis will not be easy as he has had three straight seasons of dominant stuff on the mound, two of which resulted in All-Star appearances. The Royals are counting on Kelvin Herrera to pick up the slack in the closer role.
Pitchers Leaving Town
Dillon Gee didn't do anything to warrant returning this season as the fifth starter. He is now competing for a fifth starter spot with the Texas Rangers. Former Royals first overall selection Luke Hochevar isn't with the team after they declined his option in the off-season. He is still looking for a role to help a team in 2017. Kris Medlen is returning to Atlanta where he had great success in the bullpen. If he overcomes shoulder issues, he could be apart of the rebuild that the Braves are going through.
The man who got the ball for the Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, Edison Volquez is going to be apart of the Marlins pitching staff this season. It will be hard to replace the production of Volquez as he gave 200 and 189 innings in his two seasons with the Royals.
Hitters Too
Kendrys Morales was a player that brought a lot of pop to the order in Kansas City, and his signing in Toronto in the off-season will be a tough pill to swallow. Morales had two impressive seasons with KC, which included a Silver Slugger Award in 2015. The Royals hope the promising Soler, and Brandon Moss add to the power element of the lineup. Homegrown Royal prospect Jarrod Dyson will also be missed as he looks to be the leadoff man in Seattle this season. Dyson was second in the American League in triples last season.
Mar 18, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) writes on a lineup during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Like any team, luck plays a factor in going deep into the playoffs. For the Royals to bounce back from a .500 year they must avoid the injury bug that plagued them, as Leigh Oleszcak explained. The AL Central is still within reach for KC. The Indians are proverbial favorites, but not perfect. The Tigers are talented, yet flawed, and the White Sox and Twins are in varying degrees of rebuilds.
The team is now without the team home run leader (Morales) and leader in stolen bases (Dyson) from last season, but a healthy Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain will be a welcome sight. The team also has an emerging ace in Danny Duffy who led the team in wins, strikeouts, and overall WAR last season.
Lineup
Starting Rotation
Danny Duffy
Jason Hammel
Nate Karns
Jason Vargas
Bullpen
Travis Wood
Season Prediction:
78-84
3rd in AL Central
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