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Kansas City Royals: Is re-signing Eric Hosmer the best move

By Leigh Oleszczak

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 16: Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas City Royals hits a single that scored a run in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 16: Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas City Royals hits a single that scored a run in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Royals will have a lot of turnover with their starting unit next season and the biggest name fans have been watching this offseason is Eric Hosmer. Is retaining him the best idea for the franchise?

In 2008, the Kansas City Royals made Eric Hosmer the third overall pick of the draft. He’d get his major league call-up in 2011 and the rest is history. Hosmer’s call-up was one of the most anticipated days in Kansas City sports history and the guy means a lot to this organization and to the fan base.

It makes sense that the Royals want Hosmer to be a part of their future. He has been linked with almost all of the key moments that occurred during the World Series runs and is a team guy all the way.

With that said, however, the Kansas City Royals might be better off rebuilding without Hoz. I love Eric Hosmer as much as the next Royals fan, but there are several reasons as to why retaining him might not be the best play.

The Kansas City Royals might be better off rebuilding without Hoz.

The main reason is obviously cost. The latest rumors linking the two sides had the Royals offering a seven-year deal for $147 million, which is a lot of money to shell out, especially for a rebuilding organization.

Kansas City gave out two massive contracts two years ago to Alex Gordon and Ian Kennedy respectively. Neither player has lived up to their contract and that definitely is on the mind of all Royals fans when it comes to potentially offering another huge deal. It might not be fair to judge Hosmer’s potential contract off of past deals, but it’s hard not to when you root for a small market team like the Royals.

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Hosmer also doesn’t necessarily have the numbers to merit that kind of contract. He’s not a power guy with his career high in home runs being at 25, (though it is worth noting he played 81 games at Kauffman Stadium) and hits a lot of ground balls.

Hoz also only made it to one All-Star Game during his tenure as a Royal. Is that really worth a $147 million deal?

The other big reason is that Hosmer’s position is the easiest to replace in the sport. First basemen are aplenty in the big leagues and the Royals could either go with a younger option (perhaps a prospect) or sign a cheaper guy to fill that position.

Logan Morrison, a Kansas City native, had mentioned earlier in the offseason that it’d be a dream to play for the Royals. Morrison isn’t the same player as Hosmer, but he’d be cheaper and would still play a solid first base.

While there’s no debating that Kansas City Royals fans adore Eric Hosmer, re-signing him might not be the best play for the team when it comes to building for the future. Yes, he’s 28 years old and in the prime of his career, but this team won’t be set to compete for several years.

Is it worth shelling out that kind of money on a guy who won’t even be on a contending team? Better yet… Would Hosmer still “have it” when the Royals are finally ready to compete at a high level?

What do you think Royals fans? Is Eric Hosmer worth a massive contract or do you think the Royals should move on?

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