The Kansas City Royals finished 2026 with 93 losses despite preseason playoff ambitions. They lost 16 of their first 23 games and were out of contention within four weeks; September was their worst month, and their bullpen posted a 6.65 ERA in the ninth inning or later.
The team improved at the plate from 2025 but ranked 22nd in runs scored per game and made the league’s third-most outs on the bases. The columnist says the Royals would need roughly 15–20 more wins to become a legitimate playoff contender and doubts they can make that leap in the offseason.
The columnist points to Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone developing at the same time as a bright spot. Along with Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., they form what the writer describes as one of baseball’s most dynamic young position-player cores.
