Kansas City Royals: 2018 outfield could be interesting situation

The Kansas City Royals are probably headed towards a rebuild. That means there could be some shifting throughout the outfield in 2018.

It’s almost a foregone conclusion that Lorenzo Cain won’t be returning to the Kansas City Royals next season. With Cain no longer in center field, that will mean some moving around for the Royals in the outfield.

Let’s start with left field. Alex Gordon has been the go-to left fielder since switching to the outfield in 2011. Gordon’s been one of the best left fielders in all of Major League Baseball, racking up five Gold Glove awards during that time.

Gordon spent some time in center field this past year whenever Cain needed a break and that could have been a glimpse at what the future holds. Could Gordon be moved to center field full time? It’s definitely a possibility, as he’s the most talented outfielder on the roster.

If Gordon moved to center, who would be in left field? The Royals have plenty of options there ranging from Brandon Moss to Jorge Bonifacio to Jorge Soler to Paulo Orlando and even Whit Merrifield. Between those guys, it really could be a variation between Moss, Bonifacio, and Soler with one of the others being the designated hitter and Merrifield playing predominantly at second base.

In right field, the options would probably be about the same. Bonifacio spent a significant amount of time in right field last season, which is why I’d like him there over anyone else. He faltered a bit offensively down the stretch as a rookie, but he still showed signs of being a talented MLB player.

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I don’t think Merrifield is really an option to discuss putting in the outfield, as he’s proven to be the team’s preferred every day second baseman. This is assuming that the Kansas City Royals don’t trade Merrifield before the start of the 2018 season.

There’s also Billy Burns and Bubba Starling, neither of whom are thought to make much of an impact in 2018. Both players are around the same age and are speedy defensive players.

The problem with both, however, is the lack of production at the plate. Burns hit just .167 in six at bats last year while Starling has still yet to make it to the big leagues.

If the Royals truly are in a rebuilding year in 2018, what does it hurt to play Burns or Starling in the outfield? Why not see what the organization has there?

Personally, if it were up to me, I’d want the outfield to be Gordon in left field, Orlando in center, and Bonifacio in right. Gordon and Orlando could swap every few games, but I like Gordon in his preferred position and Orlando is fast enough to make plays in center.

With those three in the outfield, it’d free up Moss and Soler to be the rotating designated hitters. Moss could also fill in at first base assuming the Royals don’t re-sign Eric Hosmer.

It’ll be an interesting offseason, but the outfield situation will be one to keep an eye on for sure. The Royals have plenty of outfielders, but who will be in which spot and what will the others’ roles be?

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