Yes that's true, and likely part of the reason number is where it is at. I think this team is in it to win. Recent signings point towards that. I was skeptical a month or two ago. But this squad to me on paper has more depth and is better than last year's team. Also you have to look at it from the vantage point of Moustakas, Cain, and Hosmer are all in contract years and have an opportunity to make a good amount of money for themselves. I believe Royals will sign Hosmer to a deal with an opt-out option. Heard radio interview with Dayton Moore and Royals are very much trying to get a deal done in my opinion. This team will score more runs this year, as their slugging is going to increase. Yes Davis is gone, but he wasn't healthy almost all of last year, he got the job done for most of it, but Herrera although he hasn't closed over a season is going to slot in nicely. Strahm although unproven was lights out in pen last year after he was called up (don't expect that same performance, but he should be solid). Then Royals have quite a few other options that I think will give them depth in the bullpen to have a better than expected bullpen. Don't bet against Dayton Moore when it comes to bullpens. He always has good bullpens.
I like the Royals depth more this year as they have a lot more versatility at position players, and more depth off bench and ability to rest players, platoon players, and pinch hit etc, and withstand injuries.
Royals wore out and to me quit during some stretches of last year, and they still were .500 last year
Soria imploded in the bullpen last year (just an awful signing by Moore). He can't be any worse than last year, and if he sucks as bad as he did last year early, they will not put him in high leverage spots. He single-handedly cost the Royals probably 7 or 8 wins.
Division is no stronger than last year, probably weaker.
Tribe for sure is odds on favorite and class of division, but Tigers are an aging team and don't appear to be doing a lot to try and push to win. White Sox will take a step back, and they look to be pretty horrible this year. Twins are the Twins, probably some improvement, but those guys looked like a AA team playing defense last year. Very difficult to see the Royals not sniffing bare minimum of .500 season.