Dozier, Vallot Deliver with Bats Vs. Rangers

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February 27, 2017 LOCAL MLB TRANSACTIONS February 27, 2017 •.CBSSports.com Dozier, Vallot deliver with bats vs. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions Rangers February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan & T.R. LOCAL Sullivan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217151916/ryan-rua- homers-in-rangers-win-vs-royals/ Dozier, Vallot deliver with bats vs. Zimmer focused on mechanics, not Rangers results February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan & T.R. Sullivan/MLB.com February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217151916/ryan-rua- http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217183868/kyle- homers-in-rangers-win-vs-royals/ zimmer-focused-in-first-spring-outing/ Salvy ready for challenge by Dyson on Ryan Rua, who is trying to win a job in left field, hit a two- bases run home run off of Royals starter Kyle Zimmer to help lift the Rangers to a 6-4 victory on Sunday at Surprise Stadium. February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217140820/salvador- Mike Moustakas played his first game for the Royals since perez-royals-to-face-jarrod-dyson/ ACL surgery on his right knee last May. Moustakas, who Powerful O'Brien looking to stick with will alternate between DH and third base this spring, walked Royals and went 0-for-2. February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com Andy Ibanez, the Rangers' No. 12 prospect according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217138094/royals- MLBPipeline.com, also hit a home run after being brought peter-obrien-seeking-roster-spot/ over from the Minor League side. Royals’ Kyle Zimmer returns to the mound in 6-4 loss to Rangers Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish, almost two years removed from Tommy John surgery, looked sharp in his first spring February 26, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star outing, throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article135152239.html Darvish threw 37 pitches and touched 96 mph a few times Former Royal Jarrod Dyson promises while sitting at 93-94. He gave up one hit, walked two and to ‘zoom’ on Salvador Perez — at struck out two. some point "It was a good first day to get him back out there," Rangers February 26, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star manager Jeff Banister said. "We are comfortable with what http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- we saw. Obviously the two walks, that's not where we would royals/article135111639.html like to be. But he got out there and got his work in." Royals notebook: Catcher Drew Zimmer, who is coming off thoracic outlet syndrome surgery Butera is scratched for minor oblique last August, wobbled a bit through 1 1/3 innings. He gave up tightness four hits. February 26, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Zimmer's velocity touched 95 mph in the first inning, but it http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- tapered off to 90-91 in the second. He walked one and struck royals/article135149939.html out one.

"I thought he was OK," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "But MINORS I don't put a lot of stock into first outings in Spring Training."

D.J. Burt Proves to be On-Base Chase Vallot, the Royals' No. 7 prospect, hit a two-run triple Machine as Kansas City rallied for three runs in the ninth. February 26, 2017 By Alan Eskew/Baseball America Up next for Rangers: Listen live for free to an exclusive http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/d-j-burt-proves- webcast as Eddie Gamboa pitches against the Brewers in base-machine/#3KjiTflOfaB8xmB6.97 Surprise, while Chi Chi Gonzalez faces the Indians in Goodyear on Monday in split-squad action. Both games start at 2:05 p.m. CT. Gamboa is a knuckleballer, who was NATIONAL acquired from the Rays on Feb. 14. Both are candidates for Royals know the deal: Win now, or the fifth spot in the rotation. say goodbye Up next for Royals: The Royals will see former teammate February 26, 2017 By Bob Nightengale/USAToday.com Jarrod Dyson in action for the first time since he was traded http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob- in the offseason when they face the Mariners on Monday live nightengale/2017/02/26/royals-free-agents-hosmer- on Gameday Audio at 2:10 p.m. CT in Peoria. Left-hander moustakas-trade/98445496/ Jason Vargas, who could be the Royals' No. 3 or No. 4 But this one could present a little spice: It will be the first starter, gets the ball. time former Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson will face his Zimmer focused on mechanics, not former team. results And Dyson already has his mission: Swipe a bag against his February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com old friend, Royals catcher Salvador Perez. http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217183868/kyle- zimmer-focused-in-first-spring-outing/ "We already talked about it when we went to Ace's [Yordano Ventura's funeral] service," Dyson told the Tacoma News You could say that right-hander Kyle Zimmer, the Royals' Tribune. "I told him I was going to try him. And if he gets first-round pick in the 2012 Draft, wasn't all that wrapped up me, I'm going to tip my hat running off the field. in his results on Sunday after his first spring start. "And if I get him, he'd best believe I'm zooming on him. It's Zimmer wobbled a bit through two innings, giving up four all fun." hits and three runs, two earned, in the Royals' 6-4 loss to the Rangers at Surprise Stadium. "Zooming" is Dyson's signature move after a steal in which he revs the handles on a fictitious motorcycle. "I'm fine with what happened today," Zimmer said. "Better results are always nice, but this time of year it's, 'Who Perez said on Sunday that he'll be ready. cares?'" "That's his game," Perez said. "He's going to try to steal Zimmer -- ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the Royals' No. 9 second base. I'm going to try to do my job. We'll see what prospect -- was more focused on improving his mechanics happens tomorrow. and arm slot, and just getting that first start out of the way. "Yeah, it'll be fun, but not because it's Dyson. And it's not "I thought it was all right," he said. "I wasn't really going into always about the catcher. The pitcher does his job, the it worried about results. I thought I made some good pitches. catcher does his job, you have the opportunity to throw the I made some bad pitches, too. That 0-2 pitch I left up. But guy out." that's going to happen this time of year." First, Dyson must get on base. That 0-2 pitch was a fastball to Rangers outfielder Ryan Rua in the first inning. Rua roped it over the left-field fence for a "That's the first thing," Perez said, smiling. two-run homer. Actually, Dyson is simply looking forward to seeing his "I wanted it up-up," Zimmer said. "But I left it up-middle. It former teammates. was 0-2 and I was trying to raise his eye level a little bit. Left it around the belt, and you can't do that to a hitter like that. It "It'll be just going out there and shaking the guys' hands," happens." Dyson said. "Haven't seen some of them in a long time. I've got friendships with those guys. Together a long time." Zimmer's velocity hit 95 mph twice during the first inning Powerful O'Brien looking to stick with and it sat around 93-94. By the second inning, though, that velocity dipped to 90-91. Royals February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com "I was just a little tired," Zimmer said. "That was the first http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217138094/royals- time I had a second up. The more times you sit down and get peter-obrien-seeking-roster-spot/ back up, it will kickstart and wake up your arm a little more. There are two things that will raise eyebrows if you're around "We'll see how I feel tomorrow. I didn't feel great and I didn't Peter O'Brien on a baseball field. feel terrible, which is usually how I feel this time of spring." First, O'Brien can hit a baseball about as far as anyone in the Zimmer said his arm slot has dropped a bit since he had game. In fact, last Spring Training, when O'Brien was with thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last August. the D-backs, he hit a home run with an exit velocity of 119.5 mph, making it the hardest home run hit since Statcast™ "Yeah, a little bit," he said. "I've been working on some began tracking that data. different things. I definitely feel like there's more to work on. We've been trying to keep the arm stroke a little shorter. As Royals manager Ned Yost calls O'Brien's power "prodigious" you throw more, you tend to find your more natural slot. I'll and recalled something D-backs chief baseball analyst Tony get there." La Russa once told Royals hitting coach Dale Sveum about Salvy ready for challenge by Dyson on O'Brien. bases "He told Dale that he'd seen two guys with that kind of February 26, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com power," Yost said, "and that was Mark McGwire and Peter http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217140820/salvador- O'Brien." perez-royals-to-face-jarrod-dyson/ The second thing that will grab your attention about O'Brien It will be just one of many Spring Training games for the is that he is fluent in Spanish. Mariners and the Royals on Monday (at 2:10 p.m. CT on Gameday Audio) in Peoria, Ariz. Really? "It does surprise people a little bit," O'Brien said. "Someone In a 6-4 loss to the Texas Rangers, Zimmer started and will say something in Spanish and I'll answer back, and it allowed three runs — two earned — in 1 1/3 innings. His kind of freaks everyone out. With a last name like O'Brien, it fastball sat at 93 mph in the first inning and twice touched really surprises people." 95. It dropped to close to 90 mph after he returned for the second inning. O'Brien learned Spanish from his mother, Mercedes, a former professional ballerina who defected from Cuba. Mercedes Zimmer cited fatigue for the velocity drop. It was the first met Terry O'Brien, an Irishman from Michigan, at a show in time this spring he had weathered the challenge of an up- Miami and the two began dating, then eventually married in down between innings. But for a pitcher whose career has 1989. been defined by injuries, the afternoon marked another step forward. Peter O'Brien grew up learning English and Spanish. “The more times you sit down and get back up, your arm will "It helps being part of the clubhouse, to be able to speak start waking up a little bit more,” Zimmer said. “But I’m fine Spanish," O'Brien said. with what happened today. Better results are always nice. But this time of year, it’s more about getting your work in.” Of course, O'Brien's primary skill involves hitting a baseball. He already has caught the attention of his Royals teammates, In his sixth year in the organization, Zimmer entered camp as who are wary of being in the same batting practice group for something of a wild card. He is likely slated for an fear of looking like weaklings. assignment at Class AAA Omaha to begin the season. But first, he has an opportunity to impress during the spring. O'Brien admits he loves that kind of attention when he's crushing balls to all fields. When healthy, club officials believe Zimmer possesses some of the most potent stuff in the organization. But he must "It's fun to get some comments from the guys," O'Brien said. prove his capacity to remain available. "It's really cool. I love hitting, so it's nice to get that feedback." On Sunday, his final line could have been aided by better defense. Shortstop Raul Mondesi opened the first inning by O'Brien homered in his first Spring Training game with the booting a grounder by Rangers leadoff man Delino Royals on Saturday. But he will have an uphill climb to crack DeShields Jr. Zimmer responded by striking out Shin-Soo the 25-man roster as only precious few spots are up for grabs, Choo before getting ahead 0-2 on left fielder Ryan Rua. and those will be highly contested. Zimmer’s next pitch found the heart of the plate. Rua roped it over the left-field fence. But O'Brien, who was acquired in a trade with the D-backs in January for Minor League right-hander Sam Lewis, remains “I wanted it up,” Zimmer said. “But I wanted it up-up. And I confident he belongs in the big leagues. left it just up-middle. But that happens. On 0-2 I was trying to raise his eye level a little bit. But I wanted it around the O'Brien, 26, played in 36 games for the D-backs over the past letters. I left it around the belt.” two seasons, hitting .176 with six home runs. Zimmer, a first-round pick in 2012, is back in major-league "I think the main thing is to make the game as simple and as camp after throwing just 5 2/3 innings at two minor-league easy as possible," O'Brien said. "I'd say it's more mental than stops in 2016. His camp has been defined by a familiar story anything for me. My mechanics are there and I'd say I have a line: his health. great swing. And everything else I do really well. For close to five years, Zimmer has battled an assortment of "But what I need to do is try and slow the game down and let shoulder issues and other ailments. His injury history has my tools take over. I have the tools to be here." delayed his path to the big leagues and challenged his mental Royals’ Kyle Zimmer returns to the toughness. The latest setback came last summer. mound in 6-4 loss to Rangers Zimmer was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, a February 26, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star neurogenic condition caused by the compression of nerves http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- near the neck and shoulder. The surgical procedure included royals/article135152239.html the removal of a rib.

A gargantuan ice pack affixed to his right shoulder, Kyle After four months of rehab and an offseason in his hometown Zimmer waited in front of his locker inside the Royals of San Diego, Zimmer arrived in Surprise with a clean bill of clubhouse late Sunday afternoon. health. On Sunday, he returned to competition. Zimmer was slated to throw two innings or 35 pitches. He sought to keep It had been close to two hours since his first professional things simple. appearance since last May. The performance had toed the line between mediocre and nondescript. The moment “I was just trying to focus on sort of staying back and staying provided lessons both positive and negative. Yet, as Zimmer through my mechanics, not trying to overthrow this time of continued his return from season-ending surgery to address a year,” Zimmer said. “So I was happy with it. It was all right.” nerve issue in his shoulder, he appeared to take the afternoon in stride. Royals manager Ned Yost offered a similar review. Zimmer’s first appearance offered mixed results. But the “It was all right,” Zimmer said. “I wasn’t really going into it greater question remains: How will his arm respond before worried about results.” his second outing? “I thought he was all right,” Yost said. “Not great; but good Royals catcher Salvador Perez. Dyson has promised that he for the first outing. He got through the first inning and he still will not run on Perez during spring training. The real battle had 12 pitches. We wanted to send him back out and get him could wait until the regular season. But in the days before to his pitch count.” facing the Royals, he could not resist the opportunity to issue a warning of sorts. The arms “I told him I was going to try him,” Dyson said in an Left-handed reliever Scott Alexander relieved Zimmer with interview with The Tacoma News Tribune. “And if he gets one out in the second inning and struck out two batters in 1 me, I’m going to tip my hat running off the field. And if I get 2/3 innings. Right-hander Peter Moylan also made his first him, he’d best believe I’m zooming on him.” appearance of the spring, working a scoreless ninth inning. Yes, the “zooming” — the ostentatious vroom-vroom gesture “Scott Alexander’s first outing was nothing less than — became Dyson’s signature while spending parts of seven fabulous,” Yost said. “I thought that Moylan threw the ball seasons in Kansas City. A former 50th-round pick, Dyson good.” debuted with the Royals in 2010 and grew into a valuable reserve outfielder, recording 176 stolen bases in 206 attempts The regulars and providing premium defense in the outfield. He was part of two American League championship teams and a world Left fielder Alex Gordon started for the second straight day champion in 2015. Inside the clubhouse, his brashness was and made his first appearance in the leadoff spot. He finished beloved. 1 for 2 with a strikeout before exiting for a pinch runner. But Dyson was also set to become a free agent after the 2017 Mike Moustakas also returned to the field, serving as the season. And with the Royals possessing a surplus of club’s designated hitter. It was his first appearance in a game outfielders following the trade for right fielder Jorge Soler, since sustaining a season-ending knee injury in Chicago last the club sent Dyson to Seattle in exchange for right-hander May. Moustakas finished 0 for 2 before exiting in the middle Nathan Karns. innings. From a baseball perspective, the trade made sense. Karns will The young guys compete for the Royals’ final rotation spot during camp. He is under club control for four seasons, offering long-term Catcher Chase Vallot, the 40th-overall selection in the 2014 value for a short-term asset in Dyson. But from an emotional draft, finished 2 for 2 with a double and a triple after perspective, the loss hit the clubhouse hard. replacing Moustakas in the lineup at designated hitter. Dyson was particularly close with Cain and first baseman Vallot spent most of the 2016 season at Class A Lexington, Eric Hosmer. In the weeks after the trade, the three friends batting .246 with a .367 on-base percentage and 13 homers in traveled to Dallas to watch the Cowboys face the Green Bay 82 games. Packers in an NFL playoff game. Dyson told Hosmer and Former Royal Jarrod Dyson promises Cain that he cried after learning of the deal. to ‘zoom’ on Salvador Perez — at “He shed a few tears,” Cain said. some point A week later, Dyson met up with Hosmer again, joining a February 26, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star contingent of Royals who traveled to the Dominican http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Republic to attend Yordano Ventura’s funeral. The royals/article135111639.html friendships will last, Cain said. They noticed the difference in the opening weeks of camp. “I wasn’t a big fan of it, I guess,” Cain said of losing Dyson. The daily staccato rhythm of trash talk was gone. So was the “But (Royals general manager Dayton Moore) has to do booming baritone and hell-raising laughter. what’s best for the team, and we’re all going to miss him.” The departure of outfielder Jarrod Dyson in an offseason Inside the clubhouse, Dyson held a prominent role for a part- trade to the Seattle Mariners left a hole on the Royals’ roster. time player. If not a polished team leader, he existed as a But it also left a void inside the clubhouse: These days, the spark plug of sorts, an agitator who motivated and energized place is a lot calmer. his teammates with a never-ending supply of swag. In a room of All-Stars, his voice was ubiquitous. “It’s definitely going to be a quiet clubhouse this year,” Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. “Quiet plane. Quiet “It’s going to be tough to not see him in the clubhouse,” Cain bus rides. But I’m going to miss it, though. Because I’m used said. “But we all got to go our separate ways eventually. I to him yelling at everybody or getting on the rookies about just didn’t expect it to be this soon.” something. He was always on somebody about something.” In his first days with the Mariners, Dyson offered Seattle a Dyson, 32, is down the road at Mariners camp in Peoria now, glimpse of his style. He did not hold back. In one of his first preparing to be Seattle’s opening day left fielder and leadoff interviews, he spoke of his championship experience. hitter. His days in Kansas City are over. But he will have the opportunity to reunite with his former teammates on “Wherever I go, the champagne flow,” he said. Monday, when the Royals face the Mariners in their first Cactus League road game. Back in Royals camp, a clubhouse of players and coaches were not surprised. This is the Dyson they know. This is the Dyson is expected to be in the lineup after a day off on Dyson they love. Sunday. The moment could offer an intriguing faceoff with “That’s his game,” Perez said. “He’s going to try to steal down from hitting for like three weeks. And then I started second base. I’m going to try to do my job. We’re going to hitting in December, and it felt really good.” see what happens tomorrow.” Vargas slated to return to mound So here comes the showdown. Dyson has promised to run on the Royals at some point, even if the moment does not After two days of looking at young pitching prospects, the happen on Monday. And Perez will attempt to throw out his Royals will turn back to their veterans beginning on Monday. friend. But in the days before facing the Mariners, manager Ned Yost and Perez caught word of Dyson’s warning. They Left-hander Jason Vargas, a rotation lock, is set to start offered similar rejoinders. against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria on Monday afternoon. Left-hander Danny Duffy will make his first start of the “He’s got to get on first,” Yost said. spring on Tuesday. Right-hander Nathan Karns, who is vying with Travis Wood and Chris Young for the final rotation “That’s the first thing,” Perez said. “It’s a little hard for him, spot, will start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs in but we’ll see.” Surprise. Young and Wood will both pitch Thursday. Royals notebook: Catcher Drew Butera is scratched for minor oblique MINORS tightness February 26, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star D.J. Burt Proves to be On-Base http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article135149939.html Machine February 26, 2017 By Alan Eskew/Baseball America Catcher Drew Butera was scratched from the lineup Sunday http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/d-j-burt-proves- after experiencing tightness in his left oblique, the Royals base-machine/#3KjiTflOfaB8xmB6.97 announced before the club’s game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Second baseman D.J. Burt knows a thing or two about touching first base. The injury is not considered serious. Butera was listed as day to day. He was slated to start for the first time this spring as The 2014 fourth-round pick reached base in 54 consecutive starter Salvador Perez received a day off following games at Rookie-level Idaho Falls in 2015, a season in which Saturday’s Cactus League opener. he ranked third in the Pioneer League with 40 walks.

“He was catching a side (session) the other day and Burt, who attended Fuquay-Varina (N.C.) High, opened 2016 somebody spiked a fastball and hit him in the side,” Royals by reaching base in eight straight games at low Class A manager Ned Yost said. “It’s been sore and the bruise has Lexington. That pushed his overall on-base streak to 62 just tightened up on him.” games.

Perez could play every other day as he prepares to compete “It’s a pretty cool accomplishment,” said Burt, 21. “Coming for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Yost said. Perez into (2016), I totally forget about it.” will leave Royals camp next week. Burt, who plays shortstop occasionally, has plus speed. He Butera was replaced in the lineup Sunday by Cam Gallagher, ranked second in the South Atlantic League with 43 stolen a former second-round pick who was added to the 40-man bases last season. roster this offseason after spending the 2016 season at Class AA Northwest Arkansas. “He’s a talented baserunner,” farm director Ronnie Richardson said. “He’s continuing to improve that skill and Dozier sees first action at first base just all facets of that. We believe he’s an above-average runner with the ability to steal bases at the upper levels.” Hunter Dozier recorded a hit for the second straight day on Sunday while making his first start at first base. One day Burt, a righthanded batter who is listed at 5-foot-9, 160 after coming off the bench and replacing Cheslor Cuthbert at pounds, hit .257/.335/.338 with four home runs in 125 games third base in the Royals’ Cactus League opener, Dozier gave last year. a day off to first baseman Eric Hosmer in the club’s 6-4 loss to the Texas Rangers. “He played a little bit more shortstop last year,” Richardson said. “We think he has the potential to play the left side of the Dozier, 25, is expected to see time at third base, first base and infield, as well as both middle positions.” the outfield this spring. The former first-round pick has looked comfortable at the plate, shaking off a hand injury that Burt drew 51 walks against 108 strikeouts last season and surfaced last September and sidelined him during winter ball works himself into good hitter’s counts with consistency. in the Dominican Republic. “He had good plate discipline,” Richardson said. “He Dozier called the injury a “bone contusion” on the top of his understands what his game is: the ability to get on base, to left hand. It flared up during his first week in winter ball, he steal bases, to bunt and play defense.” said. During instructional league, the Royals had Burt concentrate “I was there for like two weeks and it really didn’t feel much on bunting. better down there,” Dozier said. “So then they just shut me “(In pro ball) you (fall into a) slump every now and then,” Burt said. “I can use my ability to bunt to keep me going.” Surprise Stadium video board, Adrian Beltre and Carlos Burt is on track to begin this season at high Class A Gomez of the Rangers placed a bouquet of flowers on the Wilmington. pitcher’s mound and there was a moment of silence.

ROYALTIES A Ventura tribute plaque was presented to Royals manager Ned Yost that will be prominently displayed on the stadium • Outfielder Roman Collins, a 2015 fifth-round pick, hit .336 concourse. It read in part, according to The Kansas City Star, over the winter in the Australian Baseball League to rank “On most days he could be found laughing and joking with third in the batting race. His 12 doubles were one behind the his baseball family in the clubhouse. However, on days when league leaders. he pitched that smile was replaced by a quiet confidence and an intense fire which he brought to the mound every start.” • Catcher Meibrys Viloria, the 2016 Pioneer League MVP and batting title winner at .376, will play for Colombia in the The Royals plan to live by that mantra all year. World Baseball Classic. Shortstop Mauricio Ramos will also play for the Colombian team. “We don’t want to think about what might happen in the future,” says catcher Salvador Perez, who was one of Ventura’s closest friends. “We’re worried about now. We NATIONAL know we’ve got a lot of free agents that everybody wants.

“But as long as we’re together, let’s win and show everybody Royals know the deal: Win now, or what we’re made of.” say goodbye February 26, 2017 By Bob Nightengale/USAToday.com The Royals, who will have a franchise-record $140 million http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob- payroll, made difficult decisions in the offseason, trading All- nightengale/2017/02/26/royals-free-agents-hosmer- Star closer Wade Davis for Chicago Cubs right fielder Jorge moustakas-trade/98445496/ Soler, sending outfielder Jarrod Dyson to the Seattle Mariners for Nathan Karns and letting DH Kendrys Morales The Kansas City Royals talk about it, but only when asked. walk away as a free agent.

They think about it, but only when it's brought to their Still, instead of succumbing to the harsh economics, they did attention. something about it. They signed starter Danny Duffy, who was to be eligible for free agency after this season, to a five- They grasp the significance of it, but refuse to let it distract year, $65 million contract. They signed slugger Brandon them. Moss to a two-year, $12 million deal to be the new DH. And they signed free agent starter Jason Hammel to a two-year, Free agency hovers over the Royals’ spring training camp $16 million deal after Ventura’s death. more than any other team in baseball, with four members of their nucleus a half-year away from having the right to leave Now, they think they have at least one more run in them. and never return. First baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar It’s essential for the Royals to have a strong start to their will be eligible for free agency, and it’s possible all three will season, avoiding a breakup that would happen much earlier depart. than anyone desires. The Royals have had preliminary contract extension talks The strategy is quite simple: with Hosmer, but, realistically, it’s a long shot. He’s 27 and in the prime of his career, and the days of Royals lifetime Win and remain in the race, and the team will stay together contracts ended with George Brett, Willie Wilson and Frank for the entire season, vying for its third American League White. The Royals have never given out a $100 million pennant and second World Series championship in four contract. years. “We earned an opportunity to weigh our options and do the Lose and fall out of contention by midsummer, and the best for yourself,’” says Hosmer, the 2016 All-Star Game Royals will have no choice but to break up the team and sell MVP who hit a career-high 25 homers with 104 RBI last off parts until it’s no longer recognizable. season. “We would like to come back, but you don’t know what’s going to happen. None of us do.” “It’s important we get off to a good start, and our players understand that,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore The Royals likely will wait until next offseason before tells USA TODAY Sports. “They understand the importance seriously negotiating with any of their free agents. The of playing with one another, playing with innocence and not strategy worked with outfielder Alex Gordon when he hit getting caught up where they will be next year. free agency after the 2015 season. They let him test the market to determine his worth and wound up signing him to a “If it becomes more from the business side and less from the four-year, $72 million contract, the largest in franchise heart, then we will have to evaluate some things. We have to history. live in the moment, and as Yordano Ventura reminded us, tomorrow isn’t promised to us anyways.” Now, they might have no choice but to wait around again, curious to see what teams are willing to pay after a The Royals still are shaken from the Jan. 22 death of suppressed free agent market this offseason. Ventura, who was honored Saturday before their first spring training game against the Texas Rangers. The flag flew at “We’ve demonstrated in the past that we will be aggressive half-staff, highlights of Ventura’s career were shown on the and go above and beyond to keep as many of our good players as we can,” Moore says. “We’d like to have them all come back, but we also know the challenges our market presents.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do feel better about this group than I ever have. I trust them. They care deeply about each other. They have a lot of grit and a lot of passion to win for one another.

“They appreciate what’s at stake.”

The Royals have shown, at least in the infancy of spring training, that they won’t let the future get in the way of the present. The players insist that no one brings up free agency, unless a reporter asks, and that not once has the subject even been broached privately among them.

“There’s no need for these guys to worry about what happens in the future,” starting pitcher Ian Kennedy says. “They’re too good. They’ll get paid.”

They might have no idea who will be signing their checks next year, but they can at least assure they’ll have the same employer all summer.

They just have to win, taking away any possible temptation the front office might have this summer of trading them first.

“Obviously we have a lot of free agents here, but we can only control so much,” Moustakas says. “Whatever happens, happens. We’ve just got to go out and play.

“Our focus is to go out there and win a World Series. If we do that, it’s going to be a lot of fun to see what happens here.” MLB TRANSACTIONS February 27, 2017 •.CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions