October 12th 2024.
The 2023 season was a rough one for the Kansas City Royals, to say the least. After a crushing 106 losses, it's no surprise that the team was feeling pretty embarrassed. Owner John Sherman didn't shy away from the disappointment, speaking candidly about the team's poor performance. But instead of wallowing in defeat, Sherman took action.
In an interview with MLB.com, he admitted that the season had "sucked," but also acknowledged that sometimes a bit of tough love is necessary to motivate a team. He didn't want to see a repeat of that kind of season, and promised to do everything in his power to ensure that the fans wouldn't have to suffer through it again.
And so, the Royals went all-in. They made bold moves and took big risks, and it paid off. They turned their season around, going on a remarkable 30-game winning streak and ultimately making it to the ALDS where they put up a good fight against the Yankees. It was an impressive feat, especially considering they had only won the World Series five years prior.
This sudden success didn't go unnoticed by Rockies fans, who were likely left wondering if their own team's owner, Dick Monfort, was paying attention. The Rockies had also suffered through back-to-back 100-loss seasons, and while they had some promising young players, there were doubts about whether they had the determination and resources to build a strong team.
General manager Bill Schmidt and manager Bud Black, who had just agreed to return for the 2025 season, were cautiously optimistic about the future. Schmidt acknowledged that the talent base was improving, but didn't make any grand promises about next season's record. Black, on the other hand, was asked if the Rockies could follow in the footsteps of the Royals and turn their fortunes around. He gave a hopeful response, citing the team's unexpected playoff run in 2017 as proof that anything is possible.
However, the Royals and the Rockies are two very different franchises. While the Royals were willing to invest in their team during the offseason, the Rockies have a history of questionable spending. For instance, they had spent a whopping $28 million on Kris Bryant, who had only played in 33% of the team's games since signing with them in 2022 due to injuries. Monfort also made a costly mistake by giving former closer Daniel Bard a two-year, $19 million deal, despite his injury struggles.
But the Royals' success wasn't just a result of their offseason spending. They also made strategic moves during the season, acquiring key players like closer Lucas Erceg and outfielder Tommy Pham when they saw potential for success. And their postseason roster was a mix of both homegrown talent and experienced players from trades and free agency.
In contrast, the Rockies have been lacking in both areas. While they have some promising young players, their roster is still missing key pieces, such as a strong middle-of-the-lineup slugger. And while Monfort has been willing to spend money, it hasn't always been in the most effective ways.
But there is hope for the Rockies. They have a solid fan base and a higher payroll than the Royals. And their talent pool is improving, with players like shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle showing potential for becoming perennial All-Stars. They also have some promising pitching prospects, which could help improve their historically weak rotation.
However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. The team's high strikeout rate and lack of a strong bullpen remain major concerns. And even with the potential for their young players to make an impact, the Rockies can't rely solely on their prospects to turn things around.
Ultimately, the Royals' success serves as a reminder that it takes a combination of smart spending and strategic moves to build a winning team. Monfort and the Rockies' front office will have to make some tough decisions and be willing to invest in the right areas if they want to see similar success. It's time for them to step up to the plate and prove that they are serious about turning things around.
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