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Kansas City Royals 2017 Team Preview

By Joe Favia

Aug 10, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) hits a walk off single in the fourteenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) hits a walk off single in the fourteenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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.

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