Dayton Moore Hoping for Impact Bat at Winter Meetings

April 08, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore (left) looks with Royals consultant Art Stewart (right) before a game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

With the Winter Meetings upcoming, it is an exciting time around baseball. Moves can happen in rapid fire succession, with rumors flying about seemingly every minute. The only thing that is certain is that nothing really is. That is what makes this time of year so wonderful.

However, there is seemingly one thing that is known – that Dayton Moore and the Royals do not consider their offseason to be complete. The Royals are still seeking an impact bat for the middle of their lineup, and are hoping to leave the Winter Meetings with one in tow. Yet, would that be possible with the team seemingly being against their payroll limit? Turns out that it may be, as the Glass family has indicated that they may be willing to spend for the right player or players.

But who are the right players? As much as Shin-Soo Choo would be great to see in the blue and white, there is seemingly no way that ownership would be willing to spend over $20 Million a year on a player. Does Omar Infante or Michael Young qualify as an impact bat, even if they would seemingly fill a need at second base?

Chances are, any impact bat that could be coming back with Dayton Moore and the Royals front office would have to be acquired in trade. The Royals seemingly have a surplus of fourth outfielders and relievers, yet is that going to be enough to get back the type of player that they seek? Unless it ends up where a team is just looking to get rid of a salary and are willing to pick up a part of that, such as the Dodgers may be willing to do with Andre Either, it seems unlikely that those pieces would be enough.

Yet, stranger things have happened. Moore has been on a role lately with trades and free agent signings, so it may be that he has a few more tricks up his sleeve. Maybe, just maybe, that could lead to the elusive impact bat that the Royals have been looking for this offseason.