The Kansas City Royals are just two wins away from their first World Series title in 29 years. Regardless, with back-to-back Fall Classic appearances to their credit and a multitude of emerging stars on the roster, we're already thinking big picture about this franchise's future. Here's 3 Reasons Why 2015 Is The Start Of A Royals Dynasty.
1. The Core
Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez are Kansas City guys through and through. Even if Gordon opts out of his current contract, we're 99.9% convinced he'll be back in Royals blue before the Hot Stove League really catches fire. If you listen closely to interviews with these guys, you'll be privy to a cameradie that's missing from the majority of professional sports teams going today. Each guys knows his role and plays it to perfection. Whether it's Hosmer's clutch hitting, Cain and Gordon's Gold Glove work in the outfield or Perez's leadership behind the dish, these guys interlock and interweave in that special way that only true dynasties experience.
2. Bulk Of The Bullpen Under Contract
Decisions remain on the futures of Franklin Morales, Ryan Madson, and Chris Young. However, the pivot point of Kansas City's bullpen is under contract at least through next year. Greg Holland (2016 arbitration), Wade Davis (2018), Kelvin Herrera (2019) will be anchoring the back of the 'pen for years to come, ensuring that the Royals will be able to shorten games to six innings and keep the starting pitching fresh for late-season runs thanks to not being overextended. Holland's Tommy John surgery will keep him out in 2016, but the team will most likely non-tender him and lock him down on a long-term deal.
KC's back-end strategy is being emulated by several teams around the league and it's easy to see why. They're doing it the right way and doing it best.
3. Dayton Moore
Say what you will about the Johnny Cueto trade, but it looks a heck of a lot better after his complete-game win in Game 2 of the World Series. Acquiring Ben Zobrist before the deadline was one of those secret blockbusters that fortified this team from both a defense and lineup balance standpoint. GM Dayton Moore continues to pull the right strings in free agency, prospect development and on the trade market. In addition to that, Moore's wheelings and dealings are made even more potent by manager Ned Yost's steadiness and willingness to adapt his strategies to both personnel and in-game situations.
These guys are the nerve center of the organization right now, and there's not another GM/manager combo we trust right now to consistently cultivate a winning environment year in, year out.
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