Kansas City Royals: The Secret 15 Million Dollar Acquisition

We all know the Kansas City Royals’ starting rotation feels like it might be unraveling, at least a little. Its struggles have been as disappointing and confusing as the final two seasons of LOST. Hey though, we’re only one fifth through the season, have sole possession of first place, and are tied with the Houston Astros (what?) for the best record in the American League, so let’s focus on something positive for a bit.

When thinking about the offseason acquisitions the Royals made, most people think about the big three in Alex Rios, Kendrys Morales, and Edinson Volquez. Of course, some hidden gems like Chris Young and Ryan Madson have emerged, and Kris Medlin’s rehab continues on, but by and large the Royals held off on any big-ticket impact acquisitions to make a James Shields-like statement.

Dayton Moore, Ned Yost, and management, however, were confident about a couple of things, both of which have worked out swimmingly. One is the chemistry of this team, which Buster Olney touched on last week in his Baseball Tonight podcast. Essentially, “chemistry” means a lot more than Frenchy playing pranks in the clubhouse, or a dugout getting together to pay Rex Hudler $800 to eat a junebug (Source: Franz Lios of Sports Illustrated).

It’s the fact that these guys went through the minors with one another, riding on the long bus rides, playing video games in the Motel 6’s, and bonding to the point where they feel comfortable getting on one another when someone isn’t hustling or pulling their weight.

As Mike Moustakas points out in Tyler Kepner’s article in the New York Times,

"“I think [not making many offseason moves] been working out to our benefit because we trust each other so much.”More from Kansas City RoyalsThis Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. ImmediatelyDraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next YearLAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!"

There’s just no social anxiety between these guys – you don’t have a 19-year-old kid nervous to approach his locker because the 40-year-old vet is looming near. Instead, you have a group of 20-something guys who can’t wait to get on the field each day. Oh, and they were all part of a team that went to the World Series last year, so that kinda helps too.

Beyond the chemistry, though, is the fact that these guys are young and still improving. Moose’s hitting adjustment has been beaten to death at this point, but beyond that, Hosmer’s breakout, Cain’s MVP-caliber start, and Salvy’s continued dominance have acted like the blockbuster off-season acquisition the Royals never formally made.

Through Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers, the foursome has slugged a total of eight more home runs (18 total) than they had through May 14 of 2014, with an additional 17 runs batted in, 31 more runs, and 36 more hits. Their batting averages average to .309 with a .360 on-base percentage.

Remember, besides those last two numbers, those are all increases over their production last year at this point. Right now Anthony Rizzo has seven home runs and 20 runs batted in. Adam Jones has six home runs and 23 runs batted in, and he’s making over $13 million this year. They have 36 more hits year-over-year; well, Billy Butler and Yoenis Cespedes each have 36 hits too, and they’re each making at least $10 million.

The best part about it? They aren’t replacing someone with these numbers – they’re distributing them around the lineup. It’s like evenly distributing a good-hitting power threat (let’s call him Lorensador Hosmoose) evenly through the everyday lineup, and it didn’t cost any more than the natural increase in salaries!

It’s a spectacular, cheap addition that management was banking on, and so far it’s paid off. I’d be scared to know what the Kansas City Royals’ record would be with this pitching and last year’s offense to this point. Luckily we don’t have to think about that; instead, we can sit back and enjoy the success the 2015 Royals are bringing to us each and every day.

Next: Mike Leake Could Plug Hole In Starting Rotation

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