Kansas City Royals: Offseason Outlook

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals just finished a most improbable season and post season. As old-man winter eventually settles in, the bitter cold and cabin fever will only exacerbate the addiction of baseball that has swept through Kansas City.

To quote the great Rogers Hornsby, “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” Truer words have never been spoken for Kansas City Royals fans this year.

I just can’t get the Royals off my mind. The sting of defeat coupled with the pride of being American League Champions has a grip on me that won’t let go.

I don’t know about you, but I have a strange fog in my head, of a royal blue hue. I just can’t shake it for some reason. I’ve been a die-hard Royals fan forever, but I’ve also shared that same affinity, or so I thought, for my beloved Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks. Yet, I’m now finding myself watching Chiefs games, and not being nearly as excited as I used to be. I suspect the same will be true for Jayhawks games as well. All I can think about are the Royals.

I just can’t get the Royals off my mind. The sting of defeat coupled with the pride of being American League Champions has a grip on me that won’t let go. Every day I find myself smiling that what we all saw happen, ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Our Kansas City Royals played in the freaking World Series!

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Like a good book, the Royals have me dying to know what’s next. This winter should be a good page-turner as some tough decisions need to be made, and you’d have to think the Royals brass will be eager to take some measures in the name of sustainability. What to do with James Shields?  Wade Davis? Trade a bullpen arm for a bat? If Shields goes, who’s next for the rotation? Stick with Moose at third base?

I’ve looked at the 2015 Free Agent crop, and while it’s no bumper crop (Tip of the cap to my in-laws who are hard-working farmers.), some useful parts do exist. It is my belief that the Royals need to target a right fielder, designated hitter, starting pitcher, and maybe third baseman. With that in mind, I submit the following as potential Free Agent targets.

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