Royals captain Salvador Perez sets goal for 2024 season: ‘Make it to the playoffs’

Kansas City Royals captain Salvador Perez took a moment to reflect on his illustrious career. As he sat at his locker on Saturday afternoon, Perez remembered his first time in major league camp.

Perez was eager to impress. Before he became a World Series MVP, Perez aimed to become a major league player.

Spring training represented a key step in his journey. Now in his 15th big-league camp, Perez still feels like the same kid with a rose-colored future.

“I still love the game like I got called up on the first day,” Perez said.

The Royals viewed Perez as an intriguing prospect at a young age. He came up alongside Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer among others.

The trio became part of the next Royals championship era. They piloted the Royals to back-to-back World Series appearances. In 2015, KC won its second World Series in franchise history.

It’s been eight years since the Royals made the playoffs. The Royals haven’t produced a winning season in that span.

Moustakas is still around with the Chicago White Sox. Hosmer just announced his retirement this week.

Perez, who is the longest tenured Royal, remained for all of it. However, he has no plans of slowing down and his goals have never shifted.

Despite his multitude of accomplishments, Perez is still itching to do one thing. He wants to reach the postseason once again.

“This year, make it to the playoffs,” Perez said of his 2024 goals. “We got personal goals. Everybody would like to win a Gold Glove. Everybody would like to win a Silver (Slugger). Everybody wants to go to the All-Star Game. I know that I’ve tasted all that. I just want to go back again and taste how it feels to be in the playoffs. And that is my goal this year.”

The Royals endured a franchise-worst 106 losses last season. It was a frustrating year for several players. The Royals were learning at the big-league level and endured a lot of growing pains.

Perez admitted there were some tough times. However, he saw the growth in several young players, including Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Michael Massey. Now, Perez is excited to reset ahead of the 2024 campaign.

“I know nobody liked it, but it’s over,” Perez said. “I don’t care about last year. I’m concentrating on 2024 and going for everything.”

The Royals committed over $100 million in free-agent contracts this offseason. Royals general manager J.J. Picollo signed veterans Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Will Smith, Chris Stratton, Hunter Renfroe, Garrett Hampson, Adam Frazier and Austin Nola. The Royals also acquired Nick Anderson and Kyle Wright from the Atlanta Braves.

KC’s biggest move was signing Witt to a 14-year contract extension. He is guaranteed $288.7 million across the next 11 years.

“I was super excited when they told me of all the names that we had (acquired),” Perez said.

The Royals will also receive some internal reinforcements. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino returned from shoulder injury. Meanwhile, pitchers Kris Bubic, Jake Brentz and Daniel Lynch IV are back from various injuries.

Bubic recently started throwing bullpen sessions in camp. He is slated to return around July from Tommy John surgery.

The Royals want to win this season. Pasquantino boldly claimed that the American League Central is in their sights.

“We want the AL Central,” Pasquantino said earlier this offseason. “We’re tired of looking at the (Minnesota) Twins and the (Cleveland) Guardians. We want it. It’s time to bring playoff baseball back to Kansas City and that’s what we’re looking for.”

The Royals played their second spring training game on Saturday. KC defeated the Texas Rangers 5-4 at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona.

KC will open the 2024 season on March 28. The Royals will face AL division rival Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

Perez will be there in his customary spot, usually right behind the plate, as he ushers in the 2024 season in his own unique way.

“We got the team and we are going to go (to the playoffs),” Perez said.