Kansas City Royals: Looking at Forever Royal Candidates

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George Brett in 1993. That was the last time that someone spent their entire career with the Kansas City Royals. It has been 22 years and counting since a player began and ended their career with the Royals organization, remaining in Kansas City exclusively for the duration of their career. That is far too long of a time.

Of course, there are mitigating circumstances for that drought. The Royals went through quite a stretch of time without any true leadership after Ewing Kauffman passed. The team pared down their payroll to the point where anyone making even the slightest amount of money was sent away.

Other players left for the allure of playing for a franchise that was putting in a true effort to win, and not have impressive profit margins. Even Mike Sweeney departed, looking to reach the ever elusive playoffs.

Now, that is potentially going to change. The Royals are looking to make Alex Gordon a lifetime member of the franchise, keeping their star left fielder for the rest of his career. While Gordon has a player option for next year, it is more than likely that he will decline it, entering free agency. That is not expected to be a deterrent, as the Royals are still planning on making what they hope will be a competitive offer.

Even if the Kansas City Royals lock Alex Gordon up to a long-term extension that keeps him with the franchise for the rest of his career, and possibly beyond, there are other players who could receive the same sort of extension.

While we looked at a few of these a few months back, let us take a closer look to see who else could be Forever Royal.

Next: Could another extension be forthcoming?

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Salvador Perez

Salvador Perez is already locked into what may be the most team-friendly contract in baseball currently, as he still has four more years at a combined $17 Million before he could become a free agent. While three of those are team options, it is seemingly unthinkable that the Royals would not pick them up.

Perez, meanwhile, has come to realize what all of us already knew – that his contract is an incredible bargain. Naturally, at this point, he is looking to get another extension, one that would be a bit more lucrative than the one he is currently under.

The Royals, for their part, are willing to meet with Perez and his agents, as they would want to keep their All-Star catcher happy.

Even though his plate discipline is an obvious concern, there is no denying that Perez is one of the best catchers in the American League.

His defensive presence is enough to virtually eliminate the running game, and he appears to be in the midst of putting a stranglehold on the Gold Glove award.

He has emerged as a true leader in the Royals clubhouse, one whose enthusiasm is truly infectious.

While Salvador Peres has only been with the Kansas City Royals for three full seasons, it is difficult to imagine the team without him and his Gatorade showers during post game interviews. Hopefully, this will be a reality we never have to face.

Next: The potential MVP candidate

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Lorenzo Cain

Mike Trout, according to most baseball experts, is seemingly the runaway leader for the 2015 American League MVP award. While that very well may happen, there are other candidates that could give Trout a run for his money, one of the Kansas City Royals Lorenzo Cain.

Cain, who had a breakout season last year and truly burst upon the national stage in the postseason, has picked up right where he left off. While it was natural to expect that Cain would regress after last year, he has instead taken the next step forward, posting a stellar .314/.367/.506 batting line with 22 stolen bases.

His power potential has also begun to emerge, as Cain’s twelve home runs thus far in 2015 are only seven shy of his career total entering this year.

Naturally, Cain’s defense has remained as impressive as it always had been. Overlooked for a Gold Glove last year since he split time between center and right field, Cain has played exclusively in center this year, where he has continued to track down virtually everything hit in the same zip code.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, it would appear as though Cain will finally get his just due defensively at the conclusion of this season.

Currently third in the American League with a 6.4 WAR, Lorenzo Cain has just reached his potential. Even if he began his career in Milwaukee Brewers organization, Cain is truly a part of the Kansas City Royals fabric. He could be the next target to make Forever Royal.

Next: The hopeful ace

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Yordano Ventura

Much like Salvador Perez, the Kansas City Royals have already locked the young ace to an extension through the 2019 season with two team options that would keep the starter with the team through 2021. Obviously, there would not be a great rush to give Ventura another contract extension.

However, if he manages to become the pitcher that the Royals envision, he could end up as a candidate for another extension in a couple of more seasons.

Of course, that depends on his ability to overcome his difficulties this season, which have manifested with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.311 WHIP, along with a brief trek to Omaha.

There is no denying Ventura’s talent. His 100 MPH fastball and solid change should be enough to help him keep the opposition off-balance. He has proven to be able to rise for the biggest moments, as his performance during Game Six of last year’s World Series proved.

He has also let his emotions get the best of him, especially at the beginning of this season. If he can tap into that feistiness and use that to fuel his performances, Ventura could emerge as that ace pitcher after all.

Perhaps, in the next few years, we can begin the conversation on making Yordano Ventura a lifetime member of the Kansas City Royals. Let us see if he can truly reach his potential or not first.

Next: The Boras Factor

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

We know the Kansas City Royals are going to work to make sure that Alex Gordon ends his career in a Royals uniform.

It would certainly be great to see Gordon, who personifies the Royals struggles and eventual rise to the top of the American League, remain with the team throughout his career, and possibly join other legends such as George Brett and Mike Sweeney in the front office or with the team in some capacity.

However, there are other candidates that could find themselves facing the same sort of decision in the next few years. The Royals have a young, talented core, and will eventually need to make a few hard decisions about who they look to keep.

In those decisions, they may find themselves looking for another player or two to retire in a Royals uniform.

Aside from Alex Gordon, who do you think the Royals should look to make Forever Royal? Let us know in the poll below!

Next: Royals to Welcome Back Frank White