Kansas City Royals: Time to bring up the kids

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 15: Nicky Lopez #9 of the Kansas City Royals advances to third base on a double by Chris Owings #2 during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 15, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 15: Nicky Lopez #9 of the Kansas City Royals advances to third base on a double by Chris Owings #2 during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 15, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Kansas City Royals are not going anywhere this season. It is time to bring up the kids and see what they can do.

As of Saturday morning, the Kansas City Royals are 11-22. Even though the calendar has barely turned to May, they are already 9.5 games out of first place in the AL Central. Quite obviously, this is going to be a long year for the Royals, at least in terms of wins and losses.

Yet, this year can be a positive. It is the type of season where Kansas City can identify long term pieces for their rebuild; players that can be a part of the next winning team. Instead, the Royals have Chris Owings in the lineup virtually every day, give innings to Homer Bailey and Wily Peralta, and will likely put Lucas Duda back in the lineup when he is ready to come off of the Injured List.

In each of those cases, there are better options at the minor league level. Even if they struggle, it is still a matter of gaining valuable experience in the majors. And, let’s face it – the Royals are not sniffing a playoff berth even if they keep these veterans on the roster.

It is time for the Kansas City Royals to let the kids play. Let’s look at those options for replacement.