One of the highlights of spring training, besides the fact that actual baseball is back in our lives, is the onslaught of extensions that usually come. Whether it’s upcoming free agents or young players looking for security, this is when players and teams agree to extensions. The Royals were expected to be heavily involved in the trend this year. Kansas City, after all, has a bevy of upcoming free agents including Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar. However, the team may wait until the season is over to deal with all of their impending free agents, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
The Royals may wait until the offseason to deal with their free agents.
Monday morning’s Say Hey, Baseball includes the Royals new strategy for their free agents, Jackie Bradley’s career path, and Tyler Glasnow’s new repertoire.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Although that sounds a little strange at first, it’s a strategy that starts to make some sense when you think about it a little more. In the worst-case scenario in which they all leave, this can be treated as a last hurrah. It’s not enough of a consolation for losing everyone, but there would at least be some sort of mental reaction in the locker room to win in their last run together. Playing it this way also doesn’t limit them at the trade deadline if things go south, leaving open the possibility of trading any and all of their impending free agents. Finally, the Royals could be banking that this year’s quiet free agency will carry into next year’s, in which their players will be at the top of the market.
Although this strategy is understandable for Dayton Moore and the Royals, that doesn’t mean it all makes sense. It goes without saying that this would be a huge risk, as it’s opening up the possibility of any of these players having a big year and earning themselves a significant pay raise. For a small market team like Kansas City, that could be the difference between retaining the player and watching them sign elsewhere. Still, everyone knew the Royals would have to stay creative to avoid another long rebuild after this recent run, and this could be that creative solution.
- When he first came up to the majors, Jackie Bradley Jr. looked like a bust. Now, he’s the poster boy for being patient with prospects.
- Top prospect Cody Bellinger made quite the impression on Sunday when he hit a ball over everything.
- The Yankees are seeing a lot of hype around their new young core, but don’t expect too much too soon.
- The Red Sox have a young prospect of their own in Sam Travis, and they hope he can avoid the fate of a couple other recent corner infield prospects.
- Tyler Glasnow having a good season would go a long way for the Pirates, and an expanded repertoire could go a long way.
- Cleveland took a bit of a hit with Jason Kipnis suffering a minor shoulder injury. He should be fine for the regular season, but he’ll miss a little time in spring training.
- They have an underratedly strong roster in Washington, but their lack of a big-time closer will ensure that the David Robertson rumors will never die.
- Josh Hamilton was trying for another comeback in 2017, but he’s already gotten hurt and will need surgery on his knee.
- Dansby Swanson is expected to be joined in the middle infield by fellow prospect Ozzie Albies at some point soon. Albies will make his spring debut soon.
- The Angels are hoping Cameron Maybin can help stabilize their outfield, and his presence in the clubhouse will just be an added bonus.
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