KC Royals Potential Departures, Vol. 2: Lorenzo Cain

Feb 20, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (6)poses for a photo with a photo booth frame during spring training photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (6)poses for a photo with a photo booth frame during spring training photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 18, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) reacts after hitting a single in the tenth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) reacts after hitting a single in the tenth inning of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. The Giants won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Sustainability?

That’s the problem with trying to categorize local demigods—so much of LoCain’s value lies in his status as team leader, lightning rod, good luck charm and smiling, benevolent face. You can use any system you like to measure his offensive and defensive value; his overall value to the organization and community can’t be tidily measured with sabermetrics.

He’ll be all that and then some regardless of how many zeroes are in the contract, nor in what ZIP Code he ultimately calls home. He’s one of baseball’s great ambassadors. That’s not a thing you can quantify with money.

Intangibly, it’s hard to imagine Cain not maintaining his status as a leader in the organization. Is he still going to be able to hit .280 and play fringe Gold Glove defense? And do you want Dayton Moore to invest a significant amount of time and money into finding out?

Ties to other organizations or areas of the country?

Born in Valdosta, Georgia, raised and went to school in Florida, lives in Norman, Oklahoma in the offseason (wife is from Norman and he trains at OU). Braves, Rays and Rangers would be the three location biggest threats. Except for the fact that the Braves and Rays don’t spend and the Rangers have $18 million still wrapped up in Prince Fielder next season.

Schedule