Offseason

• November 29, 1971: Steve Hovley
  Steve Hovley
  Stephen Eugene Hovley is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played from 1969-1973 for four different teams....
  
   was drafted by the Royals from the Oakland Athletics
  Oakland Athletics
  The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
  
   in the 1971 rule 5 draft
  Rule 5 draft
  The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
  
  .
• December 2, 1971: Jim York
  Jim York
  James Harlan York, born August 27, 1947, in Maywood, California is a former major league baseball player. In his six year career, he played for the Kansas City Royals, the Houston Astros, and the New York Yankees....
  
   and Lance Clemons
  Lance Clemons
  Lance Levis Clemons was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals , St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox ....
  
   were traded by the Royals to the Houston Astros
  Houston Astros
  The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
  
   for John Mayberry
  John Mayberry
  John Claiborn Mayberry is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees from 1968 to 1982.-High school and minor leagues:...
  
   and Dave Grangaard (minors).
• March 15, 1972: José Martínez
  José Martínez (infielder)
  José Martínez Azcuis is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played all of and part of for the Pittsburgh Pirates, primarily as a second baseman. He later served as a minor league manager and major league coach for the Kansas City Royals, including their 1985 World Series winners.-Sources:...
  
   was purchased by the Royals from the Pittsburgh Pirates
  Pittsburgh Pirates
  The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
  
  .
• Prior to 1972 season: Mark Williams
  Mark Williams (baseball)
  Mark Westley Williams is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in three games for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball in 1977, going 0-for-2 with 1 RBI....
  
   was signed as an amateur free agent by the Royals.

Notable transactions

• June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball Draft
  1972 Major League Baseball Draft
  -First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
  
  
  • Jamie Quirk
    Jamie Quirk
    James Patrick Quirk is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current bench coach for the Chicago Cubs. Quirk attended Whittier College.-Playing career:Quirk was also a Parade Magazine All-America quarterback at St...
    
     was drafted by the Royals in the 1st round (18th pick).
  • George Throop
    George Throop (baseball)
    George Lynford Throop is a former professional baseball pitcher. Throop pitched in parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball between and ....
    
     was drafted by the Royals in the 16th round.

Roster

Starters by position

Other batters

Starting pitchers

Other pitchers

Relief pitchers

Farm system