Kansas City Royals: Non-tendered bargain free agent targets for 2020

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Austin Nola #23 of the Seattle Mariners is greeted by Domingo Santana #16 after scoring on a single by J.P. Crawford #3 against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park on July 22, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

Steven Souza Jr and Travis Shaw are each available for approximately $6 million per year.

Souza missed all of 2019 recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in 2018. His potential following a 30 home run performance with Tampa in 2017 didn’t materialize with Arizona Diamondbacks due to his shoulder injury. Souza was an above average defender, baserunner, with enough power and plate discipline at the plate to make up for poor K% numbers before the injury.

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Travis Shaw had back-to-back 30+ home run season with Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 and 2018, but wasn’t able to find himself at the plate in 2019, hitting .157/.281/.270 in 230 at bats. Shaw is an above average defender at third base with excellent power potential and a rebound with the right team could see him get back on track.

Domingo Santana will be available in the free agent market for approximately $4 to 6 million. I have been wavering back and forth on whether or not the Royals should pursue Santana to fill their vacancies in left and right field.

There is no doubt the 27-year-old Santana possesses excellent raw power producing 30 homers in 2017 for Milwaukee with full playing time and 21 bombs in 2019 for Seattle in 121 games. Santana, however, lacks the ability to consistently make contact and provide average defense in the field.

His strikeout rate has been consistently around 30% at the major league level and his defense has been below average to say the least. He does have decent speed and average eye at the plate (around 10% BB rate), but his inconsistencies at making contact and defensive liabilities make him a questionable acquisition.

Santana is still young so there is yet time for improvement, but the in house options for the Royals may be better suited to man the outfield in 2020.

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Final Note

I suspect the Kansas City Royals will use two open roster spots on the 40-man roster to acquire free agents and the remaining two spots will be used in the Rule 5 Draft. The Royals need to address the outfield and pitching staff this offseason and there are plenty of options available if they are willing to invest.

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