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Kansas City Royals: Every player hitting free agency this offseason

By Leigh Oleszczak

Kansas City Royals designated hitter Mike Moustakas (8), Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35), and Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) leave the field during a Major League interleague baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals on October 01, 2017, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas City Royals designated hitter Mike Moustakas (8), Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35), and Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) leave the field during a Major League interleague baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals on October 01, 2017, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /

ROYALS FREE AGENTS THIS WINTER – ERIC HOSMER

Here’s the biggest Royals free agent to watch this winter: Eric Hosmer. It’s no secret that the future of this franchise depends on what happens with Hosmer. If the Royals re-sign him, they’ll show they’re going to try and contend these next few years. If they’re outbid, then it’ll be rebuilding time.

Related Story: Eric Hosmer's Biggest Moments

Personally, I’d love to see the Royals keep Hosmer, but at the same time, I’d understand moving on from him. He’s going to be an expensive acquisition this offseason and while the Royals could probably afford to keep him long-term, if the team is going to rebuild, why keep Hosmer around?

[Hosmer] was the Royals best player this season and he’s going to get paid this winter.

Looking at it from Hosmer’s point of view, why would he want to stay somewhere that’s rebuilding, especially when he already won a World Series with that team? Hosmer accomplished just about all he could here in Kansas City and that’s why him moving on shouldn’t shock anyone.

The biggest teams to watch for with Hosmer are going to the two big dogs in the Red Sox and Yankees, and also the St. Louis Cardinals, who could have a void at first base should they part ways with Matt Carpenter. Look for the Red Sox to be heavily recruiting Hosmer, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports.

Hosmer is worth a big time contract. He slashed .318/.385/.498 with 25 home runs and 94 RBI in all 162 games this year. He was the Royals best player this season and he’s going to get paid this winter. Who pays him that money is yet to be seen however.

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