The Kansas City Royals core four has grown up. They’re getting too expensive, and Mike Moustakas is not the favorite.
The Kansas City Royals changed the way general managers approach the game. There is no denying that. Their back-to-back appearances in the World Series were a showcase of sorts, presenting to the rest of the league that defense and bullpen arms deserve more thought. As the saying goes, however, all good things must come to an end, and the Royals’ run for glory is no exception. Kansas City’s Core Four will run into the day they go their separate ways this coming off-season. KC can’t keep them all, and Mike Moustakas is likely on the way out.
Signing all of Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, and Alcides Escobar will be far too expensive for the Royals, whose typically low payroll broke over $140 million in 2016, a franchise record. Signing all four of their stars will put their payroll into at least the upper third in the league’s rankings. The only talks of extension to date have been with Hosmer. Moustakas makes $8.7 million this year before he hits free agency, where he will command much more.
There isn’t a large possibility of Kansas City extending Mike Moustakas a qualifying offer. It makes sense with Moustakas being the second youngest of the core group at 28, especially if talks with Hosmer fails, but paying an $18 million QO wouldn’t be of interest to Kansas City. Even if Moustakas has a year similar to his all-star 2015, Hosmer is still KC’s #1. While there is the option of a deadline trade, we’re going to proceed as though no deal is made. No team expecting to contend this year is in dire need of a third baseman, so this situation is easily overlooked. Here are five teams who are likely to be in the running to ink Moustakas this coming winter.