4. Kansas City Royals
Like the Tigers, the Kansas City Royals 2019 MLB season will be judged on progress.
However, unlike the Tigers, the Royals have several pieces of that future core in place. Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi are set to comprise the middle infield for the next four years after Merrifield signed his extension. Jake Junis and Brad Keller looked like potential options for the rotation. Ryan O’Hearn impressed during his brief trial late in 2018. Some of the pieces are there.
Yet, there is also uncertainty. Danny Duffy struggled mightily last season, and will need to return to form if the Royals hope to be competitive this year. Salvador Perez may be lost for most, if not all of the season, taking the face of the franchise away. Alex Gordon is in the final year of his contract, and has not been the player he was offensively.
Through all the changes, the Royals are attempting to get back to the team they once were. An emphasis on defense and speed has once again become the focal point of the organization, as personified by the addition of Billy Hamilton. The difference is, the Royals do not have enough pieces in the lineup, nor the bullpen, to make that plan work just yet.
The Kansas City Royals are looking to get back to the team they were. They may be looking to contend in the near future, but the pieces just are not there right now.