The Royals ended the 2023 season final week with 106 losses, tying a membership document for losses in a yr, and ending with the second-worst document in baseball. It was not a season that they had anticipated to contend, with the give attention to growing younger gamers. Nonetheless, the tough season was “an eye-opener”, in keeping with Common Supervisor J.J. Picollo in his tackle to the media following the season.

“106 losses is a tough factor to take. There have been a variety of challenges alongside the way in which. It’s not what our expectations are. Our expectations are a lot higher. We settle for accountability for that.”

The group went 27-33 over their closing 60 video games with a a lot improved offense over that point, and Picollo want to see the group carry that play over to subsequent yr. Picollo did reward the group for persevering with to compete regardless of the tough place within the standings, commending first-year supervisor Matt Quatraro for his regular hand.

“It says one thing in regards to the character of the group, the competitiveness that the performed properly, and that’s one thing we will construct off of”

Whereas the general outcomes weren’t what they wished, Picollo stated that the processes they talked about implementing final yr had been in place. When he was put in control of the group final fall, Picollo talked of utilizing extra data-driven approaches and revamping the pitching improvement employees. The Royals will return the complete teaching employees for subsequent season, and and can even search to develop their teaching employees to fill wants.

The group had three objectives going into this season – evaluating if Bobby Witt Jr. might change into a daily beginning shortstop, seeing if Kyle Isbel might deal with centerfield, and bettering the pitching employees. Witt handed with flying colours, Isbel was a plus defender in middle, though Picollo admitted he must be a extra well-rounded participant on offense. The pitching was a disappointment, though Picollo praised pitching coach Brian Sweeney, saying “the pitching division did a superb job.”

Proprietor John Sherman stated in an interview final week that “the season of analysis is over”, feedback backed up by Picollo in his tackle this week. Bettering the pitching employees will likely be a prime precedence this season, and the Royals received’t look forward to gamers to get again on observe.

“We’re going to push ahead, we’re not going to attend any longer. We’ve received to get higher. We’ve received to get deeper with our beginning pitching…There will likely be wholesome competitors in that beginning rotation. There could also be another faces within the group by that point.”

Subsequent yr’s beginning rotation will embrace Brady Singer, Cole Ragans, and Jordan Lyles, in keeping with Picollo. Pitchers like Kris Bubic and Daniel Lynch, who missed a variety of motion this yr with damage, must earn spots subsequent yr when they’re wholesome. Count on a variety of adjustments within the bullpen, which completed with the second-worst ERA in baseball. Picollo stated he thought there have been just a few arms within the pen that might compete for roles subsequent yr, however they wanted extra consistency and would look outdoors the group for upgrades, significantly for pitchers that may cowl the late innings.

Picollo thought the infield was set, praising the development in protection. Vinnie Pasquantino is about to return from damage at first base subsequent yr, with Michael Massey at second, Witt at quick, and Maikel Garcia at third. Picollo stated the group would look to usher in extra outfield manufacturing, with a watch in the direction of bettering the depth of the group.

“When guys have choices, we have now alternatives to search out gamers that may beat them out for positions.”

Picollo will look to construct an offense that rating many various methods. The Royals improved their runs scored-per-game from 3.7 within the first half to 4.5 within the second half. Then again, they completed with the bottom on-base proportion in membership historical past, and completed second-to-last within the league in dwelling runs.

“I feel we’ll be capable of create runs. We’re not going to depend on the house run, we’ve received to execute situationally higher than we did.”

The Royals government stated he didn’t know precisely what payroll would appear to be subsequent yr, however that he had a normal thought of how a lot they might spend, noting that $30 million is coming off the books in expired contracts. The Royals at present have a projected payroll of round $66 million for subsequent season.

“Regardless of the guidelines of engagement are, it’s our job to get probably the most out of it. Whether or not its $100 million, $120 million, or $80 million, its our job to get probably the most out of it. Groups have received with lesser payrolls. So that may’t be what I get up interested by day by day.”

Picollo hinted the group could also be aggressive on the commerce entrance, together with buying and selling gamers on the roster, noting that profitable groups usually aren’t populated with a roster fully made up of homegrown gamers.

“One of many issues that goal that we should always have as a entrance workplace is to take strain off of scouting and participant improvement and worldwide operations and one of many methods to do this is to be extra aggressive and commerce whether or not or not it’s prospects or off your main league roster as a result of there are only a few groups within the historical past of the sport, if any, which have received a division with 25 homegrown guys.”

One reporter identified the redundancies on the roster, resembling catcher MJ Melendez taking part in outfield as a consequence of being blocked by Salvador Perez. Picollo was non-committal on the place Melendez would play subsequent yr, however he highlighted the development of rookie catcher Freddy Fermin behind the plate to offer them extra choices. The positional versatility of many younger gamers would permit them to be inventive, in keeping with Picollo.

The Royals had hoped that if the younger gamers had carried out higher this yr, there was an opportunity that 2024 may very well be a season the place they might doubtlessly look to contend. However the 106-loss season could have pushed again the timeline a bit.

“I can’t sit right here and say I feel ‘24 is the yr that we undoubtedly win the division.”

Picollo stated he needs to get to some extent the place the group can win 80-85 video games and compete for the division. He wouldn’t put a quantity on his win-expectation for subsequent yr, however insisted he wished “regular enchancment.”

“I don’t imagine we’re a 106-loss group….however our document is what it’s, we will’t run away from that.”

This will likely be an essential low season for the Royals, as a 106-loss season six years right into a rebuild, an unpopular downtown stadium proposal, and a TV contract that makes video games inaccessible have alienated a big portion of the fanbase. The Royals appear to be forward-looking with a purpose of constructing, quite than tearing down, however will the progress be quick sufficient to fulfill a stressed fanbase that’s uninterested in shedding?