Detroit Tigers Rank Highly in MCB’s First Power Rankings of 2017

Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 31
Next
Mar 18, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) reacts during an at bat during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) reacts during an at bat during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

#19 Kansas City Royals
2016 Run Differential: -37
Best Offseason Move: Signing Jason Hammel
Worst Offseason Move: Trading Jarrod Dyson

The Kansas City Royals seem to have one foot in contending and the other in rebuilding.

Kansas City let Kendrys Morales and Edinson Volquez reach free agency, before the club traded away a number of other veteran pieces for controllable players.

Closer Wade Davis was flipped to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Jorge Soler, while Jarrod Dyson was flipped to the Seattle Mariners for starting pitcher Nate Karns.

While swapping out Davis and Dyson for Soler and Karns would suggest somewhat of a rebuilding effort, the Royals would then go on to sign the likes of Jason Hammel, Brandon Moss and Travis Wood in free agency.

It remains to be seen just how the Kansas City Royals will fair in 2017 in terms of contending or rebuilding.

However, one thing remains certain, the Royals certainly liked taking fliers on former Detroit Tigers players over the winter.

Kansas City signed reliever Bobby Parnell in mid-December, before signing Al Alburquerque in January. Brayan Pena joined the organization February.

Detroit’s division rivals already feature a pair of former Tigers in the bullpen in Joakim Soria and ex-prospect Brian Flynn.