2 free agents targets the Royals are glad can't get a qualifying offer and 1 who could

The Kansas City Royals have not been shy about payroll recently. They ranked in the top-20 this season, despite being one of the smallest markets in the sport. That being said, they still don't have the money of a major market team, and that means they need to draft and develop well.

Signing players who have been extended a qualifying offer is risky for a small-market team like the Royals. Giving up a draft pick is much more detrimental to future success for a team like KC than those who can use their money to fill gaps.

The Royals have never signed a free agent that had the QO attached. Luckily for Kansas City, there are few top-shelf free agents this offseason who are ineligible to receive the QO, and one they are really hoping doesn't get it.

2 free agents targets the Royals are glad can't get a qualifying offer

Michael King, Padres pitcher

The Royals are still looking to bolster their starting rotation this offseason. While they already have a lot of money committed to Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, thatcomes off the books next offseason. Michael King will need to exercise an opt-out in his contract to become a free agent, but most suspect that he will.

The 31-year-old returned to full health this past season and pitched 185 innings to a 3.21 ERA. He wasn't quite the strikeout artist he had been in the past, but he still has top-of-the-rotation stuff and will command a large contract. Because the righty was offered the QO last offseason, he is ineligible to receive one this offseason.

Robbie Ray, Padres pitcher

If the Royals want to consider a short-term option in the rotation, Robbie Ray is someone who they should look at. The 35-year-old was still dealing during the first half of the season. He had a 3.08 ERA in over 120 innings with the San Francisco Giants before being traded to the San Diego Padres.

Ray won't be getting the type of money that King can command on the open market, and that could be enticing to the Royals. He isn't eligible for the QO because he was offered it in the past and was traded earlier this year.

1 Royals free agent target likely to be tagged with a qualifying offer

Seiya Suzuki, Cubs outfielder

One player who could be a free agent target of the Royals this offseason is Seiya Suzuki. The 32-year-old played last five seasons with the Chicago Cubs, and is coming off a career high in bWAR after posting an .841 OPS with 26 home runs.

Suzuki would fit perfectly in the Royals lineup. Unfortunately, he's coming off a 5-plus WAR season, and the Cubs will almost certainly extend a QO to Suzuki. The only thing that might give Chicago some cause to pause is that teams may not want to sign a DH that has the QO and give up the draft pick.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow