KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals have known all along that they would have Eric Hosmer anchoring their lineup next season. All that was left to determine was exactly how much they would be paying him.
Beyond next year is anybody’s guess.
The Royals and the All-Star first baseman agreed on a $12.25 million contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration with a deal that could take the 27-year-old Hosmer to free agency after the season.
The 27-year-old Hosmer made $8.3 million last season in the second year of a $13.9 million, two-year contract that he signed to avoid arbitration in 2015. He has won three Gold Gloves and flashed more power at the plate last season, hitting .266 with a career high 25 homers and 104 RBIs.
Of course, that history of performance has only driven up his market value.
General manager Dayton Moore has long been optimistic the Royals will be able to sign their homegrown star to a long-term deal. But the problem is Kansas City also has several other mainstays who are eligible for free agency this fall, and the small-market club likely cannot keep all of them
The list includes breakout left-hander Danny Duffy, shortstop Alcides Escobar, third baseman Mike Moustakas, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and veteran left-hander Jason Vargas.
Duffy is still eligible for arbitration this offseason. So is closer Kelvin Herrera.
Duffy has asked for $8 million in arbitration while the Royals have offered $7.25 million.
Herrera has asked for $5.6 million and been offered $5,050,000 after making $2.6 million last season.