Inbox: Core of Royals’ roster to remain intact?

KANSAS CITY — The Royals just completed a series win over the Blue Jays — their first in a three-game series or more since June — and it reminded everyone of the Royals team of 2015.

Pitching, timely hitting, great defense — all the staples of last year’s World Series champions — was on display.

In fact, while the Royals won four games last week, they probably could have won six. And maybe then the conversation might be more about sneaking back into the Wild Card race.

As it stands, the Royals are eight games out of the second Wild Card spot. It would take a near historic run in the final 51 games to make it interesting, with the Royals probably needing to play close to .700 baseball.

With that, let’s get to your questions in the latest Royals Inbox.

@FlannyMLB Will the Royals decline Alcides Escobar’s option at the end of the year?

— Kevin (@Kevin_Agee) August 7, 2016

@FlannyMLB Will the Royals decline Alcides Escobar’s option at the end of the year?

A: Not a chance. The Royals have a $6.5 million club option on Alcides Escobar for 2017 — that’s a bargain by today’s standards for a Gold Glove shortstop. Royals fans tend to view Escobar far differently than manager Ned Yost or club officials, who still see the guy who was MVP of last year’s American League Championship Series and a clutch performer the past two postseasons. True, Escobar’s .279 on-base percentage is very poor, especially for a leadoff man. But the Royals believe 2017 can be another championship season, and while top prospect Raul Mondesi could easily be as good — if not better — defensively than Escobar at shortstop, the Royals are better overall with Escobar at short and Mondesi at second next season.

@FlannyMLB Do you think the Royals shop …

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