It took 29 years but the Kansas City Royals World Series run last fall proved to be well worth the wait as the Royals captivated Major League Baseball and the nation with a Cinderella run for the ages. Now comes the hard part as general manger Dayton Moore is working to make Kansas City a regular post season participant.
The Royals earned a lot of good will in Kansas City last year and ended three decades of frustration. The one thing that the Royals do not want to do is revert back to more years of losing and fan apathy. Last year’s success opens the door for the opportunity of new era of fan support and a winning reputation.
Even with their 2014 American League championship, the Royals were lacking in consistent offense and that is one of the improvements that Moore was looking to make in the off season. With that in mind, Kansas City had a pending two year $18 million deal with designated hitter and first baseman Kendrys Morales pending a physical. The potential Morales deal would serve to make up for the departure of Billy Butler who signed with Oakland as a free agent.
Moore also worked to shore up the Royals solid pitching staff as he acquired 22-year-old right hand prospect Jandel Gustave from the Boston Red Sox. Kansas City still needs to find a quality starter to replace free agent James Shields.
“We’re optimistic about some things on the trade front and through free agency,” said Moore. “We’re looking to improve our team in both ways, both avenues. There’s only so many different ways to acquire players.”
Kansas City continued talks with representatives of Nori Aoki and have a farm system that is ripe with talent that could be used in potential deals.
“We have to use our farm system aggressively to make things happen,” said Moore. “It’s never easy to deal your homegrown players, but at the same time, it’s part of the game and how we have to operate.”
Manager Ned Yost remains optimistic about building on last year’s success.
“I was really excited about the way that our kids stood up during the playoffs,” said Yost. “With that experience, I’m really excited to see what they can accomplish next year.”
The Royals may bring up minor leaguers Paulo Orlando and or Carlos Peguero for additional bats and intend to use catcher Salvador Perez as a DH more to keep him rested.
