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Kansas City Royals make another confusing move by signing Jon Jay

By Leigh Oleszczak

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 6: Jon Jay #30 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after reaching second base during Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday, October 6, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 6: Jon Jay #30 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after reaching second base during Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Friday, October 6, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Royals are in the midst of a weird offseason and things got even more confusing when the team inked Jon Jay to a one-year deal.

Kansas City Royals fans were expecting a rebuild over the next few seasons, especially after Eric Hosmer chose to sign elsewhere. Dayton Moore had pretty much said that the plan should the Royals not retain Hosmer was to rebuild and let the young players get at bats.

Well, in the last week the KC Royals have now made two signings that have gone against the typical rebuilding plan. First up was Lucas Duda, who more than likely will be the starting first baseman. That was not the plan just a few weeks ago.

The most recent signing was outfielder Jon Jay, who very well could be the Royals’ starting center fielder this season. Jay spent the most time in left field for the Cubs last season, but started more games in center field than he did in left. That right there tells you that he’ll probably be the Royals’ main guy in center.

With the signings of Duda and Jay, what direction are the Royals going in this year? Wasn’t the point to give the younger guys some key at bats and let them find their niche with this team? Isn’t that typically what a rebuild is?

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Instead, the KC Royals have brought on two players over the age of 30 who are essentially going to take away at bats from other players. If Duda is going to be at first base, then where is Hunter Dozier supposed to play? If Jon Jay is going to man center field, what was the point of bringing in guys like Tyler Collins and Michael Saunders?

Jon Jay is a good player, I’m not knocking him for his talent at all. The guy hit .296 with the Cubs last year, but my question is why are the Royals bringing in these types of players if it’s a rebuilding year? If the plan is to give other guys playing time, then why are their replacements being signed?

My hope for this season was that Bubba Starling would figure things out and be able to be the starting center fielder. The Royals obviously have skepticism with that happening (and for good reason) and they obviously don’t see Paulo Orlando as a part of the future (which makes sense too, as he’s just as old as Jay is).

This offseason seemed like it’d be Eric Hosmer or bust, but the Royals have continued to bring in decent players. Does this mean they see themselves competing in 2018 or is it just to have some trade bait at the deadline?

What do you make of all of these recent moves, Royals fans?

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