Kansas City Royals: Breaking Down Record Payroll for 2016
By Joel Wagler
KC Royals Payroll for 2017
The crazy thing about all of this is the KC Royals are already committed to a payroll of $140 million in 2017. This includes just 16 players and does include all options that will need to be picked up. It does not include any arbitration, eligible players.
Related Story: Royals Window of Opportunity
The Kansas City Royals need to continue to win. They need to the money generated by winning to pay for the salaries this year and next and beyond.
There is another wave of prospects on the way, but it is too soon to ascertain whether or not they will be good enough to be starting players on a contending team. Players like Kyle Zimmer, Raul Mondesi Jr, Miguel Almonte, Chelsor Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio, and Bubba Starling, among others, could all have a positive impact with the Royals.
Players like Kyle Zimmer, Raul Mondesi Jr, Miguel Almonte, Chelsor Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio, and Bubba Starling, among others, could all have a positive impact with the Royals.
Kansas City needs several of these players to develop into everyday contributors or top-to-middle-of-the-rotation starters. If the Royals are unable to maintain their success, they may have to sell off some of these more expensive pieces.
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The Kansas City Royals certainly have a limited window of opportunity for the core group of players to continue to win together. This year and next, then this window will slam shut.
Considering where this franchise was just five years ago, it is a very nice problem to be mulling over. For fans, two consecutive World Series appearances, and a championship makes it all worth it!