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KC has pieces for return to prominence in ’17
- Updated: October 3, 2016
KANSAS CITY — As the Royals made their final road trip of 2016 through Cleveland and Detroit, a contingent of the team’s front office, led by general manager Dayton Moore, made the trip as well, huddling for the final regular-season organizational meetings.
No doubt those meetings involved discussions of what went wrong in 2016, as well as what could go right in ’17.
The Royals, after two straight pennants and a World Series championship, were unable to return to the postseason this year. But there is room for optimism: The core of this championship team remains intact for 2017.
“There’s no reason to think we can’t make a strong run in 2017,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said.
• Royals show mettle in 2016 title defense
Here’s a look going forward:
Arbitration-eligible: First baseman Hosmer, left-hander Danny Duffy, right-hander Kelvin Herrera, outfielder Jarrod Dyson, left-hander Tim Collins, first baseman Daniel Nava, catcher Tony Cruz.
Potential free agents: Right-hander Edinson Volquez, designated hitter Kendrys Morales, right-hander Kris Medlen, right-hander Luke Hochevar, right-hander Dillon Gee, right-hander Peter Moylan, catcher Drew Butera.
Rotation: The Royals will come back with four starters: Duffy, Yordano Ventura, Ian Kennedy and Jason Vargas. The search will be on for that fifth starter, and keep in mind that Moore prefers to enter Spring Training with eight or nine rotation candidates. Volquez has a mutual option for $10 million ($3 million buyout). The Royals never have exercised a …
