The Royals have the eighth-lowest payroll in MLB. The Orioles, Athletics, Pirates, Guardians, and Marlins make up the bottom five; they’re all losers, but none of them are losing as many games as the Royals, and all of them are spending significantly less on their rosters. The Rays and Diamondbacks are also spending less than the Royals, but they’re winning more than they’re losing and legitimately competing within their divisions for playoff spots, at least so far.
I hate it as much or more than anyone when I see a baseball team refusing to spend on talented players to improve their roster.