10 MLB moves that need to happen before the offseason ends

9. Royals keep Hosmer and Moose

No one has stepped up to offer a seven-year deal rich enough to convince All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer to sign on the dotted line. Third baseman Mike Moustakas has had an even tougher go of it trying to find long-term suitors. Both are coming off the best years of their career and are still under the age of 30. This should be a great time to cash in, but the market has simply not developed.

The Kansas City Royals have already made a seven-year offer to Hosmer, but he did not take it. Hosmer also reportedly received an offer from the San Diego Padres, but it’s unclear whether or not he is willing to sign on with a team that has not been relevant in nearly two decades. He’s already been there and done that during the early days of his career with the Royals. Moustakas has seen even less interest. The Los Angeles Angels were viewed as a prime landing spot for the Southern California native, but they elected to fill third base with a converted shortstop in Zack Cozart.

It is very possible that the slow market could force both free agents back to the Royals. It was viewed as a pipe dream at the beginning of the offseason when the front office stated they hoped to re-sign Hosmer and Moustakas, but it doesn’t seem so crazy anymore.

The Royals have never signed a player to a nine-figure deal, but they were serious in their initial offer to Hosmer. If they’re going to re-sign Hosmer, the team might as well go all in and keep Moustakas as well. A resurgence in fan interest after the World Series runs has pushed the Royals into the upper half of team payrolls around the league. If they don’t continue pushing this winter, a rebuild could follow.