The Royals have not qualified for the postseason or even finished with a winning record since their World Series title in 2015.
But with the midway point of the season approaching — also the July 30 Trade Deadline — the Monarchs entered Sunday’s action as owners of the American League’s third Wild Card with a 42-36 record and looking as buyers in the transfer market.
The general manager of the Kansas City club, JJ Picollo, indicated on Sunday on MLB Network Radio that the team plans to be aggressive when making maneuvers. However, it remains to be seen what the level of aggressiveness will be.
“Although we are beginning a period in which we could be successful in the coming years,” the manager stated, “I also believe that I am personally indebted to the guys who committed to this team and chose Kansas City long-term, as [el venezolano] Salvador Pérez and Bobby Witt. “So we will be aggressive, and we will look at any alternative.”
As far as reinforcements the Royals could seek are concerned, it seems that the prairies seem to be the most obvious. The Kansas City Rangers entered Sunday’s game with a wRC+ of 71, the worst in the Majors.
On the mound, the Monarchs’ relievers entered Sunday’s action sharing 21st in ERA (4.43) and 25th in OPS among their opponents (.733). Picollo acknowledged that adding depth to the lineup and bullpen would be among the priorities.
“I will be happy if we meet those objectives and if we are in a better position for the second half of the year,” Picollo concluded.
