Can the Royals keep it up?

No the type of run they're on this postseason required a lot of pieces to fall into place. Had Detroit beat the O's in the ALDS I can say without a doubt in my mind we probably get eliminated in the ALCS. With that said if you're asking if we fall off a cliff, and don't compete for a playoff spot that is not going to happen, the roster is littered with talent, and backed up by a strong farm system. If the Royals decide not to retain Shields the $13 million coming off the books, and the possibility of another $12.5 million should they decline Butler's option be more than enough to obtain another quality starting pitcher along the lines of Jason Vargas.

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should they decline Butler's option

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I love Country Breakfast as much as the next guy but no way we pay him. (Nor should we)

Our farm system is legit. Even if we lose shields, like you said we will open up plenty of room for another key starter

Duffy is a better pitcher than Shields, and still haven't figured out why he isn't starting any game in the World Series. Next years rotation will still have

#1 Duffy
#2 Ventura
#3 Vargas
#4Jermey Guthrie

We need one starting pitcher, and I don't think Kyle Zimmer will be ready without having pitched many innings this year so we are going to have to acquire a starting pitcher. Look for Moore to make a trade for a starting pitcher by using our prospects to possibly acquire Ian Kennedy from the Diamondbacks, (Royals rumored to have interest at trade deadline) Matt Latos who is rumored to be a trade candidate for the Reds,Bartolo Colon from the Mets (Royals have shown previous interest).... basically another pitcher to provide leadership for the young arms in the Royals rotation.

We've seen teams make a run and then struggle to make playoffs again with young talent