Revisiting Insane Royals 2014-15 Offseason That Brought a World Series to KC

The 2014 Royals went on a magical run at the end of the regular season to clinch a Wild Card spot, won the AL pennant and then pushed the eventual 2014 championship Giants to seven games. Everyone around MLB had a feeling this young upstart team from Kansas City would be back.

KC did not rest on its laurels from the 2014 season. They decided to re-tool, solidify positions that needed some help and gear up for another October run in 2015. With all of the free agent acquisitions that were made in the winter going into 2015, the Royals were bound to make noise once again.

The Royals' 2015 championship likely wouldn't have happened if not for an incredible 2014-15 offseason that landed Volquez, Morales, Young and many others. An inside look into one of the greatest, most productive offseasons in franchise history: https://t.co/3PzDh5Jw7J via @MLB
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) May 13, 2020

Kansas City looked far and wide in order to sign free agents that would play a key role in the 2015 season. Picking up Edinson Volquez from the Pirates and Chris Young from the Mariners helped to establish solid pitchers in the rotation at a serious bargain. In addition, Volquez was key in vouching for the front office to trade for Johnny Cueto midseason.

In terms of bats, Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios provided a spark to the offense to help put KC over the top. Morales also came from Seattle, and hit 22 home runs and picked up 106 RBI in the regular season. Rios came to Kansas City by way of the Rangers and although he missed a significant portion of the regular season, he provided clutch extra-base hits in the playoffs.

Great story for us to remember that special season. Tend to forget about the important second tier guys who were key.
— Doug Pickering (@dougpick) May 13, 2020

In the regular season, the Royals went on to win their first division title in 30 years and first ever AL Central Division title, after dominating in the West throughout the '80s. In October, Kansas City ran through the Astros, Blue Jays and Mets in the ALDS, ALCS and World Series, respectively. Without key acquisitions throughout the winter, there is no way Kansas City bounces back from a World Series loss in 2014 all the way to redemption at the end of October in 2015.