The Kansas City Royals may be all in, but at the same time they had long been expected to sell this year. Rather than trying to set this up I am simply going to rip off the band aid:
The Kansas City Royals trade Eric Hosmer before the trade deadline.
This prediction goes against everything my heart screams. My mind on the other hand makes a compelling argument. We want to contend and removing Hos from the equation seems counterintuitive.
We also want to contend beyond 2017. Moving a player such as Hos could help continue the positive momentum the team has had the last handful of years. The Yankees are in a spot were acquiring Hosmer could bolster their title chances. They also have the young talent that could reinvigorate the Kansas City system.
While losing Hos would be a noticeable blow in the second half, first base could become a rotating spot (a la the rotating DH) that helps give guys ABs. While not ideal it is still a reasonable situation. Add in the fact that Hos is nearly a lock to play somewhere else next year and you have a situation that merits at least strong consideration.