Kansas City Royals: John Sherman has lost touch with reality
While everyone is optimistic at the start of spring training, new Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman has lost touch with reality.
Chances are, the Kansas City Royals are in for a rough 2020 season. They have taken a team that went 59-103 last season and added…well, not much. Maikel Franco is now the third baseman, with Hunter Dozier sliding to right. Greg Holland and Trevor Rosenthal were signed to shore up the bullpen, which would have been exciting if this was 2014. At least Salvador Perez is back.
That is not stopping new Royals owner John Sherman from being optimistic heading into spring training, although his expectations seem a bit far-fetched, to say the least.
#Royals Chairman and CEO, John Sherman, addresses team’s goals for the season. #AlwaysRoyal // #RoyalsST pic.twitter.com/7GxZnRIF9R
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 17, 2020
To be fair, Sherman cannot exactly stand there and proclaim that he expects the Royals will lose 100 games and receive a top three pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Nor can he state that the pitching staff, as currently constructed, is a potential dumpster fire. He does need to have a positive outlook.
More Royals. Royals building intriguing bullpen. light
But there is a difference between being positive and losing touch with reality. This is not a roster built to contend in 2020. There is talent on the Royals, particularly in the lineup, but they would need to win a lot of games 11-9 in order for Sherman’s goals to be met.
Maybe the Royals will surprise everyone. Danny Duffy could suddenly return to the form that led Kansas City to consider him a potential ace back in 2016. Holland and Rosenthal could find the Fountain of Youth and become the pitchers they were six years ago. Brad Keller and Jake Junis could take a giant leap forward. Franco and Ryan O’Hearn could show that they are viable major league caliber players. And maybe, just maybe, the Royals can put together a bullpen that will not immediately pour gasoline on the fire when they enter the game.
Virtually everything would have to fall in the Royals favor for them to have a chance of competing. Even a .500 season would be an accomplishment. But contending for a championship? At best, the Royals are two or three years away, depending on how quickly their pitching prospects are ready for major league action.
Zimmer facing pivotal season. dark. Next
The Kansas City Royals are taking steps towards contention, but regardless of what John Sherman says, it will not happen this year.