KC Royals: Alex Rios Still Looking For Work

KC Royals right fielder from last season Alex Rios, is still looking for work according to MLB Network reporter Jon Heyman:

Though Rios started for the 2015 World Champions most of the second half and through the playoffs, teams have not been beating down his door with offers after he struggled in both 2014 (.709 OPS) and 2015 (.640 OPS). However, Rios did play well enough in the post-season (.271/.314/.375 with 2 doubles, 1 HR, and 6 RBIs for an OPS of .689) that pundits said the Kansas City Royals were a team without a hole in the lineup.

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Alex Rios, apparently, doesn’t want to sit on the bench. I’m guessing he wants at least a platoon role where he can expect regular playing time. I presume he’s hoping that someone suffers an injury and picks him up.

I suppose nobody can really blame him. As Heyman notes in his tweet, Rios has won both won a World Series and made $87 million in the game. He’s in a position where he can call it a career and doesn’t need to sit on a bench if that doesn’t get his juices flowing.

Many KC Royals fans are probably wondering if general manager Dayton Moore might consider bringing back Rios if his team’s offense continues to sputter, but I see such an event as unlikely. Jarrod Dyson is hitting well, and the team has a whole raft of AAA bats such as Jose Martinez, Brett Eibner, Whit Merrifield, and Reymond Fuentes who have earned a shot if the Kansas City Royals develop an outfield need.

Next: Is Running Game Cure For Sputtering Offense?

If last season with the KC Royals was indeed the end for Alex Rios, he at least will be going out as a World Champion. There aren’t many players in the game who can say the same thing.