Kansas City Royals: Postseason expansion proposal benefits Royals

Rob Manfred has made a lot noise with several significant proposed changes to professional baseball. The latest proposed change will allow two more teams in each league to qualify for the playoffs. This benefits the Kansas City Royals.

First of all, to be as upfront as possible about this new proposed postseason expansion, I don’t like it, agree with it, or believe it is the correct move to promote the health of the professional baseball. More postseason expansion will water down the importance of the regular season.

It is hard to see how the proposals Rob Manfred has put forth this offseason with the elimination  40 minor league teams, shrinking the draft (40 rounds down to 20), and expanding the playoffs aren’t motivated by greed. The justifications for each proposed change are thinly veiled disguises to benefit the finances of the owners.

There is also the train of thought these proposals are the preliminary negotiating position of the owners for the upcoming Professional Baseball Agreement and Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations set to take place in the next couple of years. With diminishing attendance numbers and the prospect of an economic recession looming, the owners may be positioning themselves to maximize profits.

Now that you are aware of my position regarding the proposals and ideas from Rob Manfred this offseason, here is why an expanded playoff proposal for the 2022 season benefits the Kansas City Royals.

With the potential addition of two more playoffs teams by 2022, the number of teams qualifying for the MLB playoffs will expand from 10 to 14 out of 30 teams.

The Royals are coming off back-to-back 100+ loss seasons in 2018 and 2019. The 2020 Kansas City Royals are projecting to improve their win total to 65 and 70 wins.

The 2020 Royals will be the first phase to show the success of the rebuilding efforts of the front office. Top prospects such starting pitchers Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, and outfielder Khalil Lee are expected to make their MLB debuts. The Royals will see improved performances from several pitchers and position players currently on the roster to improve their win total by 8-10 wins.

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Following this pattern in 2021, the second wave of prospects such as starting pitchers Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic, Jonathan Bowlan, relievers Tyler Zuber, Daniel Tillo, and outfielder Kyle Isbel will potentially make their MLB debuts. Progression of the young pitchers and position players on the roster could bump the Royals win total to 70 – 75 wins.

By 2022, the Royals could have a competitive team with the third wave of prospects potentially making their MLB debuts in first baseman Nick Pratto, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr, and pitcher Austin Cox.

More prospects drafted in the 2020 amateur draft could enter the fold as well as a fourth wave of talent expect to contribute in 2023. The prospects debuting in 2020 and 2021 could establish themselves as MLB regulars and the Royals could start to push the 78+ win total.

The 2019 offseason moves made by in division rivals Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, and Detroit Tigers will start to diminish their returns by 2023 and open the window for potential Royals playoff contention.

The 2022 season is when the expanded playoffs are expected to take place. The Kansas City Royals timeline for competitive and contending teams lines up perfectly for 2023 and beyond.

JJ Cooper and Kyle Glaser over at baseballamerica.com expand on the the proposed playoff expansion idea. If the proposed playoff expansion was dated back to the 2001 season the win total required to qualify for the playoffs drops to 79 wins in some seasons.

Using the same data set, the average win total for a playoff team in the AL under this proposed expansion was 84.32 wins.

If the progress of the Kansas City Royals rebuild come to fruition by 2023, then the Royals will find themselves in the position of possibly recapturing some of that 2014 Royals Wild Card magic and World Series run.

Playoff baseball, much like professional hockey, has the feel of anything of anything is possible. If your team gets into playoffs, there is a chance for magic as the 2014 KC Royals proved.