Kansas City Royals Rumors: Melky Cabrera, Torii Hunter Possible Free Agent Targets
By Hayden Kane
The Kansas City Royals are reportedly interested in two free agent outfielders, Melky Cabrera and Torii Hunter, as they look to retool their roster during the MLB off-season.
Coming off an American League pennant in their first playoff appearance in 29 years, the Kansas City Royals are looking to tweak and retool their roster so that they do not miss a beat and start 2015 ready to contend.
More from Kansas City Royals
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals surprise trade, Braves-Ohtani package, Yankees-Royals trade
- Tigers young star takes vicious shot at Royals pitcher over sticky stuff allegations
- Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 104 (July 15)
- Rays-Royals rain delay: Weather updates for Royals game today, July 14
The Royals’ outfield gained fame and notoriety during this past year’s playoffs, especially for their work on defense. With Nori Aoki hitting free agency, Kansas City might be looking to bolster that outfield with a new look. Among their potential targets for the outfield are Melky Cabrera and Torii Hunter. According to Jon Heyman of CBS:
"The Royals’ other main need is in the outfield, and they’ll consider yet another former Royal, Melky Cabrera for that role, though Torii Hunter seems to be of particular interest to them. The Royals pursued Hunter seven years ago when he signed a $90-million, five-year deal with the Angels before going to the Tigers."
Kansas City would concede a certain measure of defense in either case, but they would do so in the interest of adding some much-needed offense to their lineup. Cabrera batted .301/.351/.458 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last season for the Toronto Blue Jays. Hunter batted .286/.319/.446 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI for the Detroit Tigers in 2014.
The competition for Cabrera could be stiffer in terms of dollars and years, as the Blue Jays are reportedly committed to bringing the outfielder back into the fold on a multi-year deal. Hunter is also drawing interest from a number of teams, but he represents a potential bargain as compared to Cabrera.
The Royals have a fresh new sales pitch this winter for free agents after appearing in the 2014 World Series. These two outfielders are among the team’s potential targets.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return