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Kansas City Royals: Five storylines to watch in 2019

By Leigh Oleszczak

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jakob Junis gets a pat on the head from second baseman Whit Merrifield as third baseman Mike Moustakas and catcher Drew Butera look on while Junis waits to be relieved in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jakob Junis gets a pat on the head from second baseman Whit Merrifield as third baseman Mike Moustakas and catcher Drew Butera look on while Junis waits to be relieved in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Alex Gordon #4 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The Kansas City Royals were rebuilding in 2018 and will be doing the same in 2019 as well. What are some storylines for fans to keep an eye on this season?

When the 2017 season ended and the fan favorites waved good-bye to Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City Royals fans knew a rebuild was approaching. That’s what 2018 was, as the Royals went 58-104 in year one of the rebuild.

While the season wasn’t all bad, it was mostly pretty depressing for fans to watch games. Year two of the rebuild will probably see the team win more games, but it’s yet another season of sitting back and watching the young guys develop and become the future of this franchise.

With spring training over two months away, let’s take a look at some storylines for Royals fans to watch for in the 2019 season.

ROYALS STORYLINES TO WATCH IN 2019

NUMBER 5 – ALEX GORDON’S LEGACY

No one really complained when the Kansas City Royals inked Alex Gordon to a franchise record four-year deal worth $72 million after the team won the World Series in 2015. Gordon returned to Kansas City, but the first two years he was an absolute shell of himself, at least offensively.

In year one of the deal, Gordon slashed a mere .220/.312/.380 with 17 home runs and 40 RBI. He was still a good defender, something that has remained constant, but the discipline at the plate wasn’t there with Gordon in 2016, as he struck out 148 times that year.

In year two, Gordon was even worse somehow, slashing .208/.293/.315 with nine home runs and 45 RBI. He struck out 126 times.

Year three saw improvements for Gordon, as he batted .245 on the year with 13 home runs and 54 RBI. It was promising to see the former Husker progress, but can he carry that production over in the final year of his contract?

Even if Gordon has lousy 2019 campaign, fans will always love him for that game tying home run he had in the 2015 World Series. It would be nice, however, if he could go out looking halfway decent at the plate.

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