Kansas City Royals

Take a look at their 11-13 record in spring training, and you might be convinced that the Kansas City Royals are due to disappoint in 2014 after a momentum-building 86-win campaign in 2013.

But come on, who takes spring training records seriously anymore? If anybody's going to be optimistic or pessimistic because of spring training, it should be because of other things.

The Kansas City Royals prepare for their season in Surprise, Ariz., every year.  The excitement level surrounding the club during spring training in recent years has greatly increased.

The Kansas City Royals and Luke Hochevar were dealt a significant blow earlier in the week when it was reported by Dick Kaegel of MLB.com that the right-hander would miss time with a sprained pitching elbow. 

On January 17, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reported that the Royals avoided arbitration with first baseman Eric Hosmer by agreeing with him on a one-year deal worth $3.6 million.  

It's March and Ervin Santana is still sitting out there in free agency without a home. The Kansas City Royals still have a glaring hole at the top of their starting rotation. 

The solution for both sides would seem to be pretty simple at this point: a one-year deal for the $14.1 million qualifying offer that Santana turned down at the start of free agency. It allows both sides to save face and move forward for the 2014 season.

The Kansas City Royals finished the 2013 spring training with a record of 25-7, and fans were excited to see the potential of the young guns on this team.  

Last year, the Kansas City Royals were playoff contenders for much of the season.

After winning 86 games during the 2013 campaign, KC is looking to build on that in 2014.

In order to get there, the Royals will need several players to step up and play at a higher level this season.

Here are five players the Royals need big contributions from this year.

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Position players for the Kansas City Royals have a spring training report date of February 19. The current build of the Royals roster might not be intact when it's time to report to Surprise, Arizona though. Slugger Billy Butler could be headed toward a new destination as Kansas City looks to beef up its pitching without overpaying in free agency.

The Kansas City Royals have been active in adding pieces to the club this offseason.  On the heels of a winning season, the team obviously feels that they will find themselves contending for the division title in 2014.

The Kansas City Royals addressed one of their needs when they signed innings-eater Jason Vargas.  Three of the five rotation spots were solidified with the signing, but what would the team do to fill the back-end of the rotation?