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MLB Hot Stove: Kansas City Royals preview

By Jason Evans

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate on the field after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals won the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate on the field after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals won the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) reacts after hitting a RBI double against the New York Mets in the 9th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Offense

The Royals offense has some question marks coming into this off-season. One of those areas won’t be behind the plate. Salvador Perez is one of the best catchers in the game. He hit .260 with 21 homers last year and is still just 25 years  old.

Eric Hosmer continued to emerge as one of the best first baseman in the game. He had his best offensive season, hitting .297 with 18 homers and a career high 93 RBI. Alcides Escobar isn’t your prototypical leadoff hitter, but it works for the offense.

The question along the infield is second base. The Royals still have two more years left of the Omar Infante experience, however he was one of the worst players in the game last year, posting a negative WAR and forcing the Royals to get Ben Zobrist. How much can Infante give them this season? Mike Moustakas started using all fields and posted his best season of his career last year.

The Royals outfield, as currently constituted has some questions. The only spot that isn’t a question is Lorenzo Cain in center. Cain finished third in MVP balloting and continued to emerge as one of the best outfielders in the game that aren’t named Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.

The two outfield corner spots are currently manned by Jarrod Dyson and Paulo Orlando. Alex Gordon and Alex Rios are each currently free agents. The Royals are going to have to add an outfielder, maybe two in order to remain at the top.

Kendrys Morales was brought in as the DH to replace Billy Butler as did that and more in 2015.

Next: Bench

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