Kansas City Royals: Outside free agents to avoid signing this offseason

There are plenty of potential free agents the Kansas City Royals could end up chasing this offseason. Here are a few players the team should stay away from.

Depending on which, if any, internal free agents the Kansas City Royals decide to bring back, the team could be looking at dozens of possible outside targets this winter. That being said, there are a few positions the team looks set to target regardless of how the offseason unfolds.

The team will undoubtedly attempt to sign a first baseman — be it Eric Hosmer or one of several cheaper alternatives. Conversely, the Royals seem unlikely to pursue an outside third baseman should Mike Moustakas decide to leave. Center field seems like a position where a stopgap could be needed until a prospect steps up. Other than that, the most likely place Dayton Moore will look to add players will be in the bullpen or the back-end of the rotation.

With plenty of free agents at those positions, the Kansas City Royals will have options galore for hired help. But not all free agents are created equal. Some are high-profile players primed to be overpaid. A few people would argue the top Royals free agents fall into this category.

However, we’ve decided to look at a different brand of candidate. These players would be deemed buy-low or bargain players. But we’re going to call them what they are: Players the team should pass on this offseason.