Kansas City Royals: Way too early 2020 lineup predictions
By Cody Rickman
Third Base
The 2019 breakout season of Hunter Dozier cannot be understated as to how valuable he will be moving forward to the Kansas City Royals. The Royals provided patience and an environment for 27-year-old Dozier to develop into a potential All-Star.
Moving into 2020, if Dozier can repeat his offensive numbers and continue to develop defensively, the Royals will have a cornerstone middle of the line-up bat. The Royals have Kelvin Gutiérrez on stand-by if Dozier takes any extended injury time. Gutiérrez is a replacement level player currently, but has the potential to be a league average contributor at third base.
2020 offseason transactions: Andy Ibanez
The 26-year-old Texas Rangers infielder has put together a fantastic 2019 season hitting .300/.375/.497, with 51 extra base hits (20 HRs) in AAA Nashville. Ibanez is not currently on the Rangers 40-man roster and he finds himself in a Rangers system ripe with talent as possibly the odd-man out.
The Royals could attempt to move Ian Kennedy and retain 50 – 75% of his contract to obtain Ibanez for the 2020 season. If the Royals decide to retain Kennedy then the Royals should attempt to trade for Ibanez via cash considerations or draft Ibanez in the Rule 5 draft if he is not put onto the 40-man roster. Ibanez is versatile and can provide average defense at any of the infield positions.
- Future: Jimmy Govern (ETA: 2022), Bobby Witt Jr. (ETA: 2023)
If the Royals sign Adalberto Mondesi to a long-term contract, Bobby Witt Jr. will be the future for the franchise at third base. Witt has the potential to be a star in the MLB and is likely one of the best prospects to ever be in the Royals farm system in the past 20 years. I wrote up a more extensive look at Bobby Witt Jr and what/when to expect of him in the MLB.