SURPRISE, Ariz. — Winning a World Series is a difficult task, but repeating is even more difficult.
The Kansas City Royals will try to repeat that feat in 2016 after beating the New York Mets to capture the 2015 World Series. The New York Yankees, 1998-2000, were the last team to successfully defend the title.
Despite winning the past two American League championships, the Royals are not getting any love nationally. Baseball Prospectus PECTOA projections have the Royals winning 76 games and finishing last in the AL Central.
“I don’t get caught up into that,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “Because it doesn’t matter what they say good or what they say bad. You’ve got to go out and execute and perform in all phases of the game.
“The thing I like about our team and continue to like about our team is we can win baseball games in multiple ways.”
Moore and manager Ned Yost were given contract extensions just before the first official workout. Terms of Moore’s extension were not disclosed, while Yost agreed to an extension through 2018.
“We’re in a peak period in Kansas City,” Yost said. “We’ve got an outstanding organization with a great leader in Dayton and Mr. (David) Glass (owner). We’ve got great players. They are fun to be around.
“It’s something I looked at and wanted to be a part for a couple more of years.”
Yost said the “same thing” drives him.
“We want to win another World Championship,” Yost said. “We were 90 feet away from going for a three-peat this year (losing to the Giants with the tying run stranded at third base to end Game 7 of the 2014 World Series). We’ve basically got the same crew. They’re motivated and excited to get going.”
While the Royals return their core players, including catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Eric Hosmer, shortstop Alcides Escobar, third baseman Mike Moustakas, left fielder Alex Gordon, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and designated hitter Kendrys Morales, they are without two key 2015 rental players.
Right-hander Johnny Cueto and second baseman Ben Zobrist, who were acquired in July 2015 trades, signed elsewhere as a free agents. Cueto went to the San Francisco Giants, while Zobrist landed with the Chicago Cubs.
Second base will be up for grabs in spring training. While veteran Omar Infante has two years remaining on his contract, he hit .220 with a .234 on-base percent last year in 124 games, but pulled his left oblique in September and did not play in the postseason.
Christian Colon, a 2010 first-round pick who had a big hit in Game 5 of the World Series, will compete with Infante for the starting job.
Speedy Jarrod Dyson, who has been the Royals’ fourth outfielder the past four seasons, is penciled in to start in right with the departure of Alex Rios, whose option was declined by the Royals. Dyson could platoon with Paulo Orlando, who hit .249 in 86 games as a rookie.
The Royals signed right-hander Ian Kennedy to fill out the rotation and reliever Joakim Soria. Kennedy will likely slide into the third slot behind Yordano Ventura and Edinson Volquez. Soria saved 160 games from 2007-11 for the Royals, but will serve primarily as a setup for closer Wade Davis.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH: 2B Omar Infante, who turned 34 in December, is owed $15.750 million for the next two years, but the Royals need more offense from him. His .220 batting average, .234 on-base percentage and .318 slugging percentage last year will not cut it. Christian Colon, the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft, will get a chance to wrestle the job away from Infante in spring training. Colon hit .290 in 43 games last season with Kansas City. If Infante hits, he keeps the job.
ROOKIE WATCH: SS Raul Mondesi won’t break with the club, but the 20-year-old made his big league debut in the World Series. The Royals played him some at second base last season in the minors, and if that position is not shored up this season, Mondesi could force his way onto the roster during the season if he starts well with Triple-A Omaha.
COMEBACK TRAIL: RHP Dillon Gee, who turns 30 in April, was the Mets 2014 Opening Day starter, but went 0-3 with a 5.90 ERA in eight games, including seven starts, last season. He spent time on the disabled list and in the minors and opted to become a free agent, signing a minor league contract with the Royals with a spring training invite. The Royals are looking for rotation depth and a long man for the bullpen, which Gee could fill.
PLAYER NOTES:
–LF Alex Gordon tested the free agent waters, but the four-time Gold Glove outfielder chose to remain in Kansas City. Gordon, 32, signed a four-year $72 million contract. Gordon missed 48 games last season with a Grade 2 left groin tear, hitting .271 in 104 games.
–RHP Yordano Ventura started and won the Royals season opener last year. He likely will get the nod again this season, although manager Ned Yost has yet to name the starter for the April 3 opener against the Mets. Ventura finished strong, going 9-2 with a 3.56 ERA after the break after beginning the season 4-6 with a 4.73 ERA.
–RHP Luke Hochevar was 1-1 with a 3.73 ERA in 49 relief appearances last season after sitting out 2014 following Tommy John surgery. He had a 1.38 ERA in 23 home games. The Royals are anticipating Hochevar will be even better in 2015, two years removed from the elbow surgery.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We don’t have that problem. These guys are not complacent. If you spend a little bit of time with anyone on this club you’ll find out real quick, complacency is not an issue with these guys. They have a chance to make history and they want to take advantage of it.” — Royals manager Ned Yost, on the team resting on its World Series laurels.