Kansas City Royals Rumors: Jaime Garcia and Carlos Gomez Coming to KC?

MLB Trade Rumors predicted landing spots for the top 50 free agents — several of whom have ties to the Kansas City Royals. See how their projection would shape the team for 2018.

You’ve probably seen plenty of speculation about where the now-former Kansas City Royals free agents will end up. Just on Friday we posted two articles citing FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman with credible rumors, involving Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas as possible winter targets of the Red Sox and Angels, respectively.

Now, it’s time to look at a few of the possible pieces the front office could bring in from elsewhere. These are the types of players Dayton Moore and Co. would look to sign should the team undergo a modest rebuild. These are the bridge-guys, so to speak. Veterans you sign for a couple of years until the farm system is a little more fully developed.

MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes (along with the help of his colleagues Steve Adams, Jeff Todd and Jason Martinez) predicted landing spots for each of their top 50 free agents. (To be clear, these are extremely educated guesses.) Many have connections to the Kansas City Royals, but we’ll start with the most intriguing ones.

Replacements

The article lists Jaime Garcia (No. 31 overall) and Carlos Gomez (No. 23) as a pair of outside additions the Kansas City Royals would make this offseason. Each of these players would perfectly replace a departed free agent. The left-handed Garcia would slot in nicely for Jason Vargas in the rotation. Gomez would take over center field from Lorenzo Cain until someone in the minor leagues (Paging, Bubba Starling.) is ready to start there full-time.

Should the Kansas City Royals look to remain relevant next season, these moves would make sense. The sticking point might be the money Garcia and Gomez would earn. According to the article, both players would land two-year deals — Garcia’s worth $16 million and Gomez’s worth $22 million.

Garcia checks a lot of boxes and would be a solid realistic target. Gomez might be a little more expensive than some other center field options out there. A signing like that would prove the Kansas City Royals have no in-house options for center.

Former Players

Before we get into what the MLB Trade Rumors bunch thinks will happen with the free agents who played in Kansas City in 2017, let’s take a look at what they see happening to some players who go back even further. Two former Royals closers rank in the top 10 for this exercise, while an ex-outfielder squeaks in at No. 42.

Wade Davis checks in at No. 8 and Greg Holland at No. 10. The article has both players leaving for newer pastures. After spending 2017 with the Cubs, Davis is expected to ink a four-year, $60 million deal with the reigning World Series champion Astros. (Like they don’t already have everything!) Holland, meanwhile, will sign with the Cardinals for four years and $50 million following a solid season with the Rockies, according to the article.

Jarrod Dyson is predicted to join the Pirates. After being traded to the Mariners prior to last season for Nate Karns, the speedy outfielder is projected to land a two-year, $12 million contract from Pittsburgh. It’s likely Dyson reverts to a fourth outfielder after getting a chance to start in Seattle.

Royals in 2017

This is where we look at the large group of players who finished 2017 in a Kansas City Royals uniform. Of the 50 guys MLB Trade Rumors assessed, five fall into this category, including three of their top seven free agents.

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Vargas barely made it in at No. 46. The projection is for the aging lefty to earn just a one-year deal worth $10 million from the Orioles. Another left-hander who had a solid 2017, Mike Minor (No. 18) could be headed to the National League pennant winners. A highly sought after bullpen piece, Minor will earn $28 million over four years from the Dodgers, according to the article.

Landing one spot ahead of Davis on this list, Cain ends up with the Giants in this projection. I would imagine $70 million dollars spread over four years makes it easier to stomach joining the team that beat you in the World Series. For the record, the Mariners, Blue Jays and Rangers also make the list of most likely destinations if Cain leaves the Royals.

Moustakas falls one spot ahead of Cain. The power-hitting third baseman could be hitting home runs in the newest ballpark in the majors moving forward. The article predicts Moustakas will ink a massive five-year, $85 million deal with Atlanta. (Is it possible Moore might be signing Moose?) Additionally, if Moustakas doesn’t end up with the Royals or Braves, the aforementioned Angels and Cardinals could be options.

Landing at No. 3 behind Yu Darvish and J.D. Martinez, Hosmer should be back with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, and 2019, and 2020, and you get the picture. Much to the joy of Royals fans, the article projects a manageable $132 million over six years. Assuredly, most of that money would be pushed towards the end of the contract to help out with the payroll over the next two years, especially if Garcia and Gomez also sign.

Next: Three Bold Offseason Predictions

What do you think, fans? Would you be fine with signing Garcia and Gomez if it meant Hosmer stayed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.