Atlanta Braves: Possible Matt Adams Trade Destinations

Kansas City Royals

Long time Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer is a free agent after 2017. And while he’ll give the Royals a hometown discount, it’s not going to be anything significant. The man will and deserves to get paid. Hosmer is not about to let Kansas City ribs affect the size of his wallet.

This leaves the Royals with a vacant first base and a couple of minor leaguers who could fill the role. Or, rather than put someone green out there too soon, they could bring Adams back to the “Show Me State” to play for the other Missouri team. Could this work?

Adams fits best in the American League. With the DH available most nights, he’d fit in nicely as a part-time first baseman. The Royals already have Brandon Moss taking over a similar role. For the purposes of depth, they could still go out and add Adams. If they happen to lose Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain this offseason, they’ll need all of the help they can get.

It’s not as if the Royals can go into full rebuild mode. Several players are signed to big contracts. Alex Gordon isn’t going to disappear with his low batting average nor will Ian Kennedy and his high ERA.

By picking up players like Adams who are earning more modest contracts, the Royals can put themselves in a good position to compete in 2018 without bankrupting themselves.