Kansas City Royals 2017 preview

By Lindsey Foltin
Published

This is the latest of our 2017 team previews. Each week during spring training, we'll preview a division with a team each day (Monday-Friday). This week we're taking a look at the AL Central: Cleveland Indians| Detroit Tigers

LAST SEASON

81-81, 3rd place in AL Central

WHAT'S NEW










Key additions: OF/1B Brandon Moss (free agent from Cardinals), SP Jason Hammel (free agent from Cubs), RP Travis Wood (free agent from Cubs), OF Jorge Soler (acquired from Cubs)

Key subtractions: SP Edinson Volquez (free agent to Marlins), DH Kendrys Morales (free agent to Blue Jays), SP Kris Medlen (free agent to Braves), RP Wade Davis (traded to Cubs), OF Jarrod Dyson (traded to Mariners), RP Greg Holland (free agent to Rockies), SP Yordano Ventura (passed away)








3 STRIKES

1. The end of a (championship) era is near. With four key players entering their walk years, things are going to look very different at this time next year. Star first baseman Eric Hosmer is the most desired of those players, and while he and the Royals are discussing an extension, Hosmer says he'll enter free agency if they don't work out a new contract by Opening Day. Royals GM Dayton Moore also has decisions to make with third baseman Mike Moustakas, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar. With the challenges of a limited payroll and competition from other teams, the Royals are likely to keep only one more of the pending free agents after recently extending left-hander Danny Duffy.




2. The pressure is on. The Royals are hoping to make one final meaningful run before the band breaks up. But after falling back to .500 last year, it's a big ask for a team that just lost five of its biggest contributors. Hosmer will be playing under the pressure of a contract year, along with lofty expectations to carry the club offensively without the help of speedy Dyson on the bags and Morales' big bat to share the task of driving in runs. The pitching staff will have a much taller order to fill after losing veteran Volquez to free agency, lights-out closer Davis in a trade with the Cubs and, most importantly, their ace Yordano Ventura, who passed away in a car accident in January.













3. Moving on from tragedy. The Royals are still mourning the tragic death of Ventura, not just as a teammate, but as a friend and family member. The start of spring training was difficult for many in Royals camp, as it served a harsh dose of reality that Ventura is not coming back. The Royals ace will be honored by the team in various ways, and the players will lean on each other during tough times to mourn the loss of their teammate and friend. Tragedy often brings people together, and that could be the case in KC this year. "The one thing we can do is stay together as a family," Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas said last month. "Play in his memory, and keep remembering him. Not seeing him will be the toughest thing. But what we can do is try to make him proud."




 

BEST-CASE SCENARIO

Hosmer, Moose and Cain all put together huge seasons in their walk years, while Moss exceeds last year's total of 28 homers and Hammel exceeds expectations and surpasses Ian Kennedy as the No. 2 starter.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

The shaky bullpen results in some costly losses that cause the Royals to fall far out of contention by June. Let the fire sale begin.

SURPRISING STAT

Plate discipline was a huge key to the Royals' championship run in 2015, as KC had the lowest number of total team strikeouts in all of MLB with 973. Last year, that number ballooned to 1224, bumping them from 30th to 23rd out of all 30 teams.














 

BEST BETS

Projected win total (via Atlantis Casino Resort): 80.5

World Series odds (via VegasInsider.com): 50/1

TOP 5 FANTASY PLAYERS

1. Eric Hosmer, 1B: Hosmer had a career-high 25 homers last season, with a dip in batting average that suggests he sold out for power. Hosmer hits too many groundballs to get any better than this.

2. Danny Duffy, SP: The light bulb went on for Duffy in 2016, as he missed lots of bats and kept the ball closer to the plate. Unfortunately, everyone noticed, and you'll need to draft him as a No. 2 starter if you want him.
















3. Kelvin Herrera, RP: Royals' closers have racked up saves over the past few seasons, so Herrera is walking into a fantasy-friendly situation. He's an elite closer, but he's not being ranked like one. Buy Herrera after the big names are off the board.

4. Lorenzo Cain, OF: Hamstring and wrist injuries limited Cain to 103 games last season. He figures to rebound as a solid power-speed threat with a strong batting average.

5. Salvador Perez, C: Perez has hit 60 home runs over the last three seasons -- only Evan Gattis and Brian McCann have more among catchers. He plays a lot of games, his batting average won't hurt you, and he's a fine option after the big-name catchers come off the board.

(Courtesy of FOX Sports Fantasy Baseball)

PREDICTION

The Royals' magical ride is over. They will fade back into obscurity as the Twins surge past them in the AL Central standings for this and many years to come.