What’s next?
The Royals say this playoff ending will light a fire under them for next year.
“If you back up from it a bit, it was a pretty impressive season,” Pasquantino said. “But as a player on the team, it wasn’t enough. We knew that we had a good shot to compete and make the playoffs, and I think we felt good about our chances. And we just didn’t do enough. That stings. A lot.”
Colby Wilson at Baseball Prospectus gives a requiem for the Royals season.
Outside of Perez at the tender age of 34, every player that matters in the Royals lineup next year is 27 or younger. Witt and Pasquantino are going to be good. It’s not inconceivable that some portion of Melendez, Maikel Garcia, Michael Massey, or even a late-blooming Kyle Isbel make significant strides heading into next season. And—after an offseason that proved this ownership group is serious about flashing some cash—an infusion of talent at the corner outfield spots would bolster a lineup that could stand to add more pop and more consistency.
On the mound, another quality starter wouldn’t go amiss—one can never have too many high-level, innings-eating arms. Kyle Wright returns after missing all of 2024, but a 28-year-old arm that’s only pitched one full season is tough to bank on, even if that one full season—79 DRA-, 21-5 and a 23.6% K-rate in 2022—was pretty good. The Royals will need to spend a little more this offseason to keep the momentum going. They nailed the ever-elusive mid-rotation mid-market starter last offseason, is it too much to ask they do it again?
Mayor Quinton Lucas seems to favor the Washington Square Park site for a downtown ballpark.
“I think it’s fair to say that Washington Square Park has been among the discussions for locations of a ballpark site. Ultimately, it’s up to the Royals,” said Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas.
The park is located just east of Union Station and the World War I Museum and is on the streetcar line.
“You have in excess of 10,000 parking garage spots. Importantly, in different garages all around that site. So, I see a lot of promises to that site itself,” Lucas said.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes that fans should be hopeful for next year.
As Royals fans, we have been clamoring for Picollo and the front office to build this team into a consistent winner who can compete in the postseason while maintaining a healthy farm system. We have wanted this team to be built similarly to successful small-market franchises like the Rays, Guardians, and Brewers.
This year, it seems like that is getting closer to a reality. To make things better, we may be a franchise with similar infrastructure to Tampa, Cleveland, and Milwaukee but with ownership that is more willing to spend the necessary cash to acquire or keep top-tier talent in Kansas City.
David Laurila at Fangraphs talks to Carter Jensen about what it was like to face Justin Verlander in the Arizona Fall League.
“Before the game I was trying to prepare a little bit more, but at the same time, once I got in there it was me versus him,” said Jensen. “The only thing I could do is try to make good decisions, put the bat on the ball, and hopefully hit it hard somewhere. I tried not to do anything special, just stick to my game plan and what works for me. I didn’t want to be in the box thinking, ‘Justin Verlander is on the mound.’”
Gabe Swartz at KCTV 5 takes a look at what next year’s roster may look like.
Rachael Millanta at Kings of Kauffman writes about the Royals that won’t return next year.
The Dodgers rout the Mets in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Payroll seems to matter in who advanced to the LCS.
Alex Cobb will start Game 1 for the Guardians in the ALCS.
How the Mets turned their season around.
Ranking the four potential World Series matchups.
A look at swing path diversity in the playoffs.
Who the Marlins are considering for their managerial opening.
The Mariners have not had long-term contract talks with pitcher Logan Gilbert.
Will Cody Bellinger return to the Cubs?
Free agent Jurickson Profar wants to stay with the Padres.
Luis Arraez is also interested in a long-term deal with the Padres.
Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone will miss all of next year following shoulder surgery.
Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffers a terrible injury in a win over the Cowboys.
Army and Navy are both ranked in the top 25 together for the first time since 1960.
The human lifespan may be hitting a ceiling.
How the Pulp Fiction poster became a staple in college dorm rooms.
Your song of the day is Sugar Ray with When It’s Over.