Kansas City Royals don’t need to be super active in free agency this winter
The Kansas City Royals still have a few more weeks before free agency opens up, but the Royals really don’t need to make a big splash in signing players this winter.
The 2018 season was a rebuilding year for the Kansas City Royals and while 2019 should see the boys in blue being a tad more competitive (think second half of 2018), they’ll still be in rebuild mode. That’s why the Royals don’t need to dish out a lot of cash this free agency period, because when push comes to shove, the Royals aren’t going to be a playoff contender next season.
If they are, great! But I highly doubt that ends up happening because the Royals realistically are still a few years away from being a playoff team.
With all of that said, however, the organization can still bring in veterans with starting experience and sign them to a one-year deal. This was what the team did last year, signing guys like Jon Jay and Lucas Duda to one-year contracts and also bringing back Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas.
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Those four guys spent a good chunk of the first half of the year starting games, which hopefully wouldn’t be the case in 2019. If Dayton Moore signs players like that, they need to be predominantly bench players.
An area that could use some upgrading, however, is the bullpen. The Royals have plenty of options to throw in their rotation next year, but the bullpen is another story.
What was once a shutdown factory for the Royals became the biggest liability on the team last year. That’s the only area the Royals should maybe splurge a little bit, but even then, don’t break the bank for a reliever. The Royals have young pitchers that could get a shot in the pen, but having a seasoned vet or two out there would do wonders for those kids moving forward.
Looking at the position players, the Royals might seem set for the most part. Year one of the rebuild provided us with some important answers as to the future at certain positions. For instance, Ryan O’Hearn looks more than capable of manning first base until Nick Pratto is ready for his call-up, Adalberto Mondesi is easily the shortstop of the future, and Hunter Dozier might not be the answer at third base.
If the Royals are going to bring in any veteran players, a center fielder and third baseman would be logical position players to sign. Someone like Chase Headley, an older player but with valuable experience and could be somewhat affordable, would be a decent option at third base to mentor Dozier (and Cheslor Cuthbert, if he ever plays again).
Veteran players are important for young teams who are trying to develop. They might not be every day starters, but they can mentor the prospects and start a game from time to time.
Those are the only players the Royals should look to sign. They don’t need to be breaking the bank for any big free agents this winter because a lot of the talent that will lead this team to the promise land in the next few years are already in house. That’s the hope at least.