John Sherman Says Royals Expect to Contend in 2027

Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman put next season back on the clock for the Royals while leaving plenty of work on the front office's list.

Kansas City has one winter to turn a hopeful roster into one that can stay in the race late in seasons.

Sherman said, “We would expect to be in the hunt next year. But look, we got a lot of work to do. I’m not predicting anything. I think the proof will be in the pudding, and we’ve got a lot of work to do as soon as this thing’s over in October."

Tuesday's loss to the Dodgers showed some of that work, as the Royals received a strong start, briefly took a late lead and still lost 5-4 in ten innings.

Michael Wacha worked 6 2/3 innings with three runs allowed, did not walk a hitter and kept Kansas City close while the offense took time to get going.

A contender needs starts like that over a long season because not every lineup produces early runs.

The Royals have added pitching depth to the organization, and they still lack certainty about who can take the ball every fifth day.

Kansas City needs enough healthy starters to avoid leaning on the bullpen before the middle of a game.

Wacha showed why the rotation can become the base of next year's team if enough healthy arms join him.

He gave the lineup time to erase its deficit in the eighth, and he left with the Royals still close enough for one good inning to change the night.

Kansas City still has to decide which younger pitchers belong in that group before the winter moves begin.

Expecting every injured arm to return at full strength would leave the team exposed as soon as the normal problems of a long season arrive.

The Royals carried a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth, but Los Angeles tied it before Max Muncy won the game in the tenth.

Lucas Erceg allowed the final unearned run, and the late innings became difficult almost as soon as Wacha left.

Kansas City's bullpen questions have lasted well beyond one loss, and the club can't spend another half season learning who can handle the seventh and eighth.

It needs relievers who throw strikes with runners on base and can survive when the defense fails to turn every ball into an out.

Some recent roster moves haven't worked out, which should push the front office toward outside help instead of recycling the same uncertain roles.

Bobby Witt scored twice and Salvador Perez drove in two runs, while the Royals still leaned on familiar names to create most of the offense.

The long deal with Maikel Garcia gives them another steady hitter, and the lineup needs more support around that group.

Sherman's timeline is reasonable if Kansas City treats this winter as a chance to add.