The largest obstacle for smaller market teams, once they have success, is the ability to retain those key players who helped transform the team into a winning ballclub. Teams like the Oakland A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays have tried to be creative to remain atop their divisions, but eventually slide back to the pack since they are unable to keep those pieces needed to compete. This is a fate that the Kansas City Royals have hoped to avoid.
In recent years, as the Royals have had more success, the thought process on the team has changed. David Glass has pumped more money into the franchise as the Royals have been more successful, with the resigning of Alex Gordon and free agent Ian Kennedy receiving the two highest paying contracts in team history.