Carlos Betran, Others Still on Royals Radar

September 8, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson (49) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Astros 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Typically, when hearing such words as ‘The New York Yankees are interested in…” it means that the Royals do not have a chance of being able to secure that player’s services. After all, the Yankees have a much higher payroll budget than the Royals, and could just outspend anyone looking to secure the same player. However, that potential to spend may not be enough to keep the Royals away from Carlos Beltran.

According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, Beltran still sits atop their wish list. As long as Kansas City is still a consideration for Beltran, they want a chance to make an offer of their own. Although they may not have the ability to offer as much per season as the other teams rumored to be interested in the former Royal, they may be willing to give Beltran that third season that he is looking for in the open market.

And that shopping may not end with Beltran. The Royals also are looking at adding another starting pitcher, and may be making trades to either add that middle of the order bat they seek or a viable second starter. In fact, a trade seems likely, given that the Royals may already be at their spending limit.

"“We’ll see what else unfolds in the Winter Meetings and beyond with maybe another pitcher,” Dayton Moore said. “We’ll see what’s available. There are still opportunities to make a trade or two with some of our current group.”"

The Royals had already been linked to Brett Anderson as a possible trade candidate, and if they lose out on Beltran, may be looking to the trade market to acquire that type of bat they may need. They certainly do seem to have several trade chips, and both Aaron Crow and Tim Collins have received interest. There are even multiple teams that may be interested in Wade Davis, which would work out to help the Royals land the type of bat they want while unloading Davis’s salary.

Even if the Royals do not get Carlos Beltran, their offseason may not be over. Although they are against their spending limit, it appears as though Moore may have options to be able to fill the holes in the roster. If so, then the success of 2013 may not be just a one year occurrence.

Normally, when the Royals are up against their spending limit, that signaled an end to their offseason. However, that may not be the case this year. More players, and maybe even Carlos Beltran, may be on the way.