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The Kansas City Royals were able to win the World Series in 2015 after a magical season. They will now be the hunted all season, so in order to have a chance to repeat, they need these five players to avoid the disabled list.
5. Yordano Ventura
Credit: Getty Images5. Yordano Ventura
The Royals don't have true ace entering the 2016 campaign, but Ventura probably has the closest ceiling to one. After a dismal 2015 that saw him sent down to the minors, he showed some progress down the stretch. He certainly has potential lights-out stuff, and in order for him to continue to grasp his potential, he must stay on the field.
4. Kendrys Morales
Credit: Getty Images4. Kendrys Morales
The Royals continue to lack a true power threat, but Morales may be the closest thing they have to one. He hit .290 with 22 homers and 106 RBIs in the middle of the lineup last season. At 32 years old and having a tough injury history, Morales certainly could go down. The Royals need his bat to consistently be in the lineup.
3. Wade Davis
Credit: Getty Images3. Wade Davis
Wade Davis will enter the season as the closer, as he finished last year, with Greg Holland gone. He has been the best reliever in baseball over the last few seasons, and that shouldn't change this year. Nobody wants to lose their closer, but the Royals had the depth to deal with it the past. That may not be the case anymore. After Davis is Kelvin Herrera, who doesn't have closer experience, and Joakim Soria, who isn't as dominant as the other two.
2. Alex Gordon
Credit: Getty Images2. Alex Gordon
Gordon plays with the reckless abandon that could land him on the DL, as he did last year when he crashed into a wall trying to make a catch. The Royals surprisingly were able to afford to keep their original star in free agency this offseason. With his shiny new contract and as the unofficial captain of the team, Gordon needs to be on the field as much as he can. He is their Jeter.
1. Salvador Perez
Credit: Getty Images1. Salvador Perez
The World Series MVP returns as the anchor behind the plate for the Royals. Perez is so important to the pitching staff and lineup, as he calls a great game and hit 21 homers last season. He could be close to breaking down if the Royals don't take care of him a bit more, though. He's caught at least 138 games each of the last three seasons. They need to rest Perez a bit more, because they need this guy healthy for both pitching and offense.
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