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Kansas City Royals sign Michael Saunders to minor league deal

By Leigh Oleszczak

MINNEAPOLIS, MN- SEPTEMBER 17: Michael Saunders #21 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Minnesota Twins on September 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Blue Jays 13-7. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN- SEPTEMBER 17: Michael Saunders #21 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Minnesota Twins on September 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Blue Jays 13-7. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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Spring training has begun and the Kansas City Royals have added another outfielder to their ranks by the name of Michael Saunders. This is a nice low-key signing for the Royals.

The Kansas City Royals are making moves, albeit smaller ones. Their recent move involved bringing on Michael Saunders, who could potentially earn a starting job for this team in 2018.

Saunders had signed with the Pirates about a week ago, but Pittsburgh acquiring Corey Dickerson put a little bit of a wrench in their outfield plans. That led to Saunders being released and the Royals went ahead and added him.

This isn’t the type of move that’s going to make Royals fans jump up and down with excitement, but it’s a pretty decent signing. Saunders was an All-Star for Toronto just two seasons ago after he slashed .253/.338/.478 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI.

Michael Saunders provides versatility in the outfield, but it appears that left and right are his preferred spots. He has not played in center field since the 2014 season, back when he was with the Mariners. Center field is the big question mark for the Royals as of now, so it’s entirely possible that Saunders sees some time there.

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Most of Saunders’ 2017 season was spent in right field when he was with the Phillies, which is another possibility for him. There’s no guarantee that Jorge Bonifacio will win the right field job outright and it could be a rotating spot, just like center field is likely going to be.

Saunders is only 31 years old and has had recent success in the big leagues. I mentioned he made the All-Star Game in 2016 and he batted .273 in 2014. If the Royals can get that type of production out of him, fans would be thrilled.

Saunders isn’t a power hitter with the 24 homers in 2016 being his career high. I highly doubt he surpasses that at Kauffman Stadium, which is a tough place to hit the long ball, but you never know.

This is a nice low-key signing for the Kansas City Royals and it’ll be interesting to see if Michael Saunders can produce throughout spring training. He certainly has the ability to win a job in Kansas City, but he also could be someone who flames out and we never hear from again.

So, what are your expectations for the Royals newest outfielder? Will he be on the team’s roster come Opening Day?

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