Kansas City Royals: What Can Go Right In 2014

Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 season may be one of the most important in the history of the Kansas City Royals. The franchise will undoubtedly have its largest payroll, and expectations are high after their biggest win total since 1989.

There are many things that could right with this team in 2014, and there are many things that could go sideways. This season will be judged either a success or just another disappointment based on if more things go right than wrong. This seems like a simple concept but the Royals must find a way to get into the playoffs, and take a big step forward as a franchise.

So much is riding on this season both in developing young talent in the minors, and performing on the field in the majors. This off season again highlighted the fact the Royals just can’t compete with a number of other teams in the free agent market. Kansas City needs to rely on home grown talent, and be able to fill in holes with bargain players.

The Royals are starting to run out of time with this bunch of players. James Shields will be gone next season, Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, and Eric Hosmer are in their final few seasons with the team. The team is not far away from starting over again with the next wave of young players, and those players won’t win immediately, no matter what.

This is the first of two articles where we will examine what needs to go right for the Royals this season, and what could go wrong over the next 8 months.

Click “Next” to see what could right in 2014.