KC Royals: 3 potential Winter Meetings bombshells

Whether they happen or not, here are a trio of surprises the KC Royals could drop at the 2020 Winter meetings.

Somewhere in the virtual world, separated from their traditional semi-public arena of hotels, conference rooms and suites, baseball’s Winter Meetings are underway. The annual confab, forced by the pandemic to go video, will probably still provide its regular fare of trades, free agent signings, rumors, speculation, surprises and disappointments; while the video environment may dampen the spirit of the meetings, major league clubs, including the KC Royals, will still do business.

Just what kind of business the Royals will conduct remains to be seen. They filled a need last week by signing former Kansas City pitcher Mike Minor, then added outfielder Michael A. Taylor; unless the club makes a move with one of its 2020 starters, it’s probably crossed starting pitching off its wish list, and Taylor’s acquisition obviates the need to look any further for a new center field candidate.

All that doesn’t mean, of course, that the Royals are done trying to improve. A potent bat remains a priority and, after non-tendering third baseman Maikel Franco, General Manager Dayton Moore must find someone to play third or first because Hunter Dozier can’t play two positions at once.

So it is that all Kansas City eyes will be on Moore this week. Will principal owner John Sherman allow him the financial leeway to sign or deal for a couple of players to fill still-existing needs? If so, who will Moore target, and what surprises might the Royals provide before the meetings end with Thursday’s Rule 5 draft? The club isn’t prone to dropping bombshells, but anything is possible.