KC Royals: Can Dayton Moore Defy Gravity?

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Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (left) celebrates with owner David Glass after the presentation of the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals won the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

Compensatory Picks Take Too Long To Develop

The Kansas City Royals can expect that Hosmer, Moustakas, Cain, and Duffy should all sign deals worth more than $50 million if they hit free-agency next year. Thus, KC should make qualifying offers and should reap four sandwich picks after the first round. If Kennedy departs, we can presume that he’s had a strong year and will also exceed the $50 million compensation threshold.

The only other real candidate to make over $50 million in free-agency is if Mike Minor were to post a big year in 2017. But, I’m not holding my breath given the multiple setbacks he suffered last season while attempting to come back from shoulder surgery.

Four or five early picks in the 2017 draft could certainly help jump start a rebuild, but it will take time for those players to develop. The fastest way to reload is through trading off players as they hit the end of their contracts. However, I don’t believe the KC Royals attempting to win one more year will doom them to a long era of losing. The key is whether or not some of the players now in the lower minors develop into strong prospects down the road.

Next: Royals Rumors: KC Interested In Aaron Hill And Trevor Plouffe

Dayton Moore broke his international cap in 2015 with two key signings in Seuly Matias and Jeizon Guzman. If they, and other international signings like Samir Duenez, Meibrys Viloria, and Marten Gasparini develop better than many analysts anticipate, the KC Royals could rebound faster than anyone expects. Otherwise, for the Royals franchise to avoid a down period, the team will have to catch some serious good fortune with ready prospects like Josh Staumont and Kyle Zimmer emerging as big league stars in the near future.

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