ESPN Insider Jim Bowden Releases MLB Offseason Grades

Sep 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (21) hits a single against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals (MLB Rank 21, Grade C)

Bowden says:

"The Royals were a swing of the bat away from bringing a world championship to Kansas City, then proceeded to have a bizarre offseason. They said goodbye to both James Shields and Billy Butler, then spent more than $50 million via free agency that included gambles on the declining Rios and Morales and on health risks Medlen and Madson. They did sign Volquez, which should help lessen the blow of the Shields loss."

We say: This goes along with our thoughts of the Royals in a nutshell. Coming off a World Series performance in which the team got hot at the right time, the Royals took some significant steps backwards this offseason.Losing Shields is going to hurt, and replacing Butler with Morales still seems like such a puzzling decision.