Call to the pen
Fansided

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 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
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.

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