THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015
PAGE 7A
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THE DAILY DEBATE
Will the Royals have over or under 90 wins in 2015?
OVER
The Kansas City Royals enter the 2015 Major League Baseball season coming off the magical run to the 2014 World Series, before losing to the San Francisco Giants in seven games. General Manager Dayton Moore brought in a few new faces in the offseason to add to the same core that fueled the postseason success. He and Manager Ned Yost look for more consistency this season, along with the youthful energy as last season.
Kansas City has made the most offseason additions to its pitching staff. Following starting pitcher James Shields departure, Moore signed 10-year veteran starter Edinson Volquez to a two-year deal, expecting Volquez to be a large part of the Royals starting rotation behind Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura. With Shields leaving, Ventura will
be the No. 1 starter, with Duffy likely at No. 2.
Former Atlanta Braves starter Kris Medlen was also signed to a two-year deal. Medlen underwent his second elbow surgery in 2014, and the Royals were able to sign him to a cheaper $8.5 million deal over the two years.
With the big three of the bullpen — Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland — returning, the Royals' relief will be just as strong as 2014. Relievers Tim Collins and Jason Frasor also return to the bullpen and will contend right behind the big three.
Assuming players won't suffer major injuries are suffered, both the infield and outfield will be set for 2015. Kansas City returns the entirety of its 2014 infield, as well as outfielders Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain. Outfielder irarod Dyson will again be available out of the dugout for Yost, as he was also a pinch-running threat late in games last year.
the Oakland As. With all of these pieces in
The only big question for Moore, Yost and the rest of the Royals organization is how newly inked designated hitter Kendrys Morales will perform. Morales was signed in December to fill the spot of Billy Butler, who left for
"IF THEY ARE ABLE HAVE A MORE CONSISTENT STRETCH THROUGHOUT THE MAJORITY OF THE SEASON,THEY SHOULD FIND THEMSELVES ATOP THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL."
place, the Royals are setting themselves up well for a successful year. If they are able have a more consistent stretch throughout the majority of the season, they should find themselves atop the American League Central. The Royals could also find themselves with a record 90 or more wins for the first time since 1989 and a second-straight year in the playoffs.
Edited by Miranda Davis
After making a Cinderella run through the playoffs last season, the Royals are back for another season, hoping for another playoff berth. The Royals will make the playoffs as a Wild Card like last season, but will not get over 90 wins.
UNDER
The Royals, a .500 level team, can easily get 80-89 wins. The American League Central is getting tougher with improvements to the Chicago White Sox, who should contend for the division title with the Detroit Tigers and the Royals.
This Royals team is different from last year's. With the departure of designated hitter Billy Butler to Oakland, the Royals need someone to fill that spot. Plus, the Royals also lost Nori Aoki, who is now with the San Francisco Giants. The Royals biggest offseason blow came with
the departure of James Shields, who signed with the San Diego Padres.
Off-Season acquisitions Alex Rios and Kendyls Morales can make an impact immediately. Rios could join Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain in the outfield, while Morales could be a designated hitter and could be used as a first baseman if Eric Hosmer gets injured or needs a day off.
The Royals still have one of the best back-ends of the bullpen together in Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland. The Royals will have to produce offense late in games in order to get to these three players in the bullpen and seal huge wins against quality teams in the league.
Another big question for the Royals is who will take the top pitching spot with the departure of Shields. Yoldano Ventura could possibly fill that hole. The Royals also have Danny Duffy and Jeremy Guthrie, who could give the Royals quality starts in key roles.
If the Royals can end up getting off to a good start in April but not fall apart in May, then they will have a promising season.
It does not start off easy
tor the Royals, taking on the White Sox at home for a three-game series next week. The Royals will have to focus on trying to win more divisional games because it will help them out later on in the season if they are in the running for a playoff spot in the American League.
The key to success for the Royals will be not only
"IF THE ROYALS CAN END UP GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START IN APRIL BUT NOT FALL APART IN MAY, THEN THEY WILL HAVE A PROMISING SEASON."
starting the season strong but making sure they can continue to play strong and win games well into the season.
- Edited by Miranda Davis
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AWARD DESCRIPTION The Dole Institute of Politics established the Robert Hemenway Public Service Award in May of 2009, in honor of the 16th Chancellor of the University of Kansas upon his retirement. The $1,000 award is given annually to a junior student who has demonstrated a commitment to making a difference for KU students and furthering the ideas of service on campus and within the community; the overriding criterion for this award is commitment to public service with demonstrated leadership.
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