The Kansas City Royals made the playoffs and even won a series, taking the New York Yankees to four games in the ALDS. It was a phenomenal accomplishment, especially considering how bad the team was last year.
Unfortunately for the Royals, it does not get easier, and in fact the team has shifted difficulties to hard mode. Look: Royals historical incompetence aside, it is not very difficult to get to 81 or so wins even with a bad farm system; you just need to spend in free agency, play to your strengths, and minimize utilizing replacement-level talent. But every win above .