Kansas City Royals Rumors: Cardinals interested in Eric Hosmer

The Kansas City Royals will reportedly have competition from neighboring St. Louis in the Eric Hosmer sweepstakes this winter. Here’s how he fits with the Cardinals and a couple other NL teams.

There are plenty of teams interested in adding Eric Hosmer to their lineup this offseason. It leaves the Kansas City Royals, who are still interested in retaining the first baseman, with plenty of rivals in vying for Hosmer’s signature. That’s likely part of the reason — the other part being the price tag — the team is reportedly growing pessimistic about re-signing him.

One of the chief competitors could come from across the state. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are one of several teams interested in signing Hosmer this winter. The move shouldn’t come as a shock. St. Louis has been floated as a possible suitor much of the offseason, and the club’s interest in Giancarlo Stanton shows the Cardinals are ready to make a splash.

Should the team miss out on landing Stanton, the Cardinals will likely ramp up their pursuit of Hosmer. Not everyone agrees that St. Louis should join the Hosmer chase. Radio host and former Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz thinks the franchise would be overpaying for the production it would receive in return. There’s also the matter of Matt Carpenter. Needless to say, St. Louis isn’t as clear-cut of a favorite as Boston.

Should Mets pursue Hosmer?

The Mets have been connected with both Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain already during the free agent process. New York has been mentioned as a good fit for the Kansas City Royals third baseman and center fielder, so why not throw the team’s first baseman into the mix, as well.

To be clear, no credible reports mention the Mets as pursuing Hosmer. However, New York Post columnist Ken Davidoff wrote a piece outlining his five-part argument for why the Mets should enter the race for Hosmer’s services. Here are Davidoff’s five parts:

1. Talent
2. Character
3. Need
4. Perception
5. Fiscal fit

It’s obvious that Hosmer won’t check all those boxes for every team. But there are clearly plenty of teams that would benefit from adding him. It’s why even some long shots have expressed interest.

San Diego, really?

We’ve already mentioned before the Padres have expressed interest in signing Hosmer. But apparently San Diego has done more than just the standard inquisition into the 2017 Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award winner.

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According to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres have interest “beyond the cursory level.” Lin mentions the team values Hosmer’s leadership and intangibles, while also believing he has plenty of untapped power in his left-handed swing.

It still seems unlikely Hosmer will wind up with the Padres, although crazier things have happened. The Red Sox would appear to be the favorites — outside of the Kansas City Royals. But the Cardinals and Mets, who will presumably lose free agent Lucas Duda, should be seen as more likely destinations. That’s with New York having yet to make any known overtures for his talents.

As Miklasz’s and Davidoff’s pieces indicate, different people see Hosmer in polarizing ways. Some view him as the crown jewel of this year’s free agent class. Others see him as a player worth passing on or, in the case of the Kansas City Royals, letting walk.

Next: Royals due for progression or regression

What do you think? Will any of these National League teams sign Hosmer? Would he be better off choosing an American League club? Does it matter? Let us know your thoughts.