Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer Does Not Owe Fans Anything

There has been a lot of speculation about the Kansas City Royals and whether or not they’ll be able to re-sign Eric Hosmer. The beloved first baseman is set to hit the free agent market after this upcoming season.

Everyone has known that 2017 was going to come with a lot of speculation in regards to pending free agents like Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, and Eric Hosmer.

Recent reports that Eric Hosmer and the Royals were in talks to reach an agreement before the start of the season have only increased the amount of speculation among the fans.

In the article, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports writes:

"Hosmer added, “It’s hard to make it to free agency. It’s a right that every player earns if they make it that far. We are talking about certain extensions, stuff like that. But the way I see it right now, I just want to make it that far. And if I do make it that far without signing anything, I feel like I deserve that right to see what’s out on the market."

Basically, the article makes one thing very clear. If the KC Royals and Eric Hosmer haven’t reached an agreement by the time regular season gets under way, he’ll test free agency.

Eric Hosmer doesn’t owe it to the fans or the team to stay by way of taking significantly less money in order to do so.

There has been a lot of speculation in terms of what it would take for the Kansas City Royals to re-sign Eric Hosmer. Some speculate that Hosmer is more in line with a contract like that of Brandon Belt, while others seem him wanting ten years and $200 million.

Whether or not a deal will be done by opening day remains to be seen, and given the opportunity to make a lot of money over the next several seasons, it would be hard to blame Eric Hosmer for playing elsewhere.

Just because it’s hard to blame someone for taking a better opportunity, doesn’t mean that plenty of fans won’t place blame on Hosmer, the Royals, or a combination of the two.

First, it’s important to note that while I would love to see the Royals invest in keeping Eric Hosmer long-term, I know that it would take a record contract and perhaps equate to a greater value overall than this year’s current payroll of $134 million plus.

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While I think the Kansas City Royals would do well to keep Hosmer, I don’t know how prudent it is for them to spend more than a full team’s salary to one player.

I’ve enjoyed watching the Royals win and would like to see them have the money left on the payroll to stay competitive. That may mean saying goodbye to fan favorites like Hosmer and counting on strong drafts and smart free agents signings.

While his pending departure is still just that, pending, it hasn’t stopped a handful of fans from being angry that he could ever want to play anywhere else or that if he’s not dedicated to the team and the fans then they don’t want him anyway.

It’s easy to say, “If I loved a team, and I was already a millionaire I’d play for whatever team I loved…blah blah blah” when not in that situation. I’m guessing most, be honest with yourself, wouldn’t think twice about leaving a job to do the same job for a lot more money.

I’m guessing most, be honest with yourself, wouldn’t think twice about leaving a job to do the same job for a lot more money.

Eric Hosmer doesn’t owe it to the fans or the team to stay by way of taking significantly less money in order to do so.

He’s endeared himself to so many for his style of play, his leadership, his community involvement, and his ability to come through in the clutch, but it doesn’t mean he’s bound by any sort of ‘unwritten’ rules to stay here.

In regards to being ‘done’ with the Royals if they don’t write that enormous check, that’s certainly one approach. Everyone wants the KC Royals to buy this ‘product’, but if tasked with chipping in for said product most would shy away. (Yes, I realize it doesn’t work that way and yes, I understand the “I buy tickets so I do chip in” argument.)

I get it. No one wants to see Eric Hosmer play for a different team, at least no one in Kansas City.

Next: Eric Hosmer's Five Biggest Moments

Saying goodbye is going to stir up all kinds of emotions and responses, but no one should want to see anything other than the best possible things happen to this group of players. No matter where they potentially go, they’ll always be a part of #ForeverRoyal.

A hashtag, by the way, that has more to do with the feelings inspired by the 2014 and 2015 seasons than actually alluding to any player physically staying a Royal forever.

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