This will be the most interesting off-season in Royals' history. So many key players are eligible for arbitration. The KCR will not pick up Billy's $12.5 million option--but will they bring him back for less $, which Billy clearly indicates he's willing to do? Will they pick up Luke? Too many uncertainties there with Luke's TMJ surgery, so I don't think they will. And so many players are arb-eligible, who will cost the Royals' a lot of money to keep.
catcher.
everyone says they're going to cut ties with hoch, but i don't get the rationale. don't pitchers pretty much always come back just fine from tommy john surgery? seems like it anyways. and presumably his contract would be less than what they paid him this year. seems like he'd be a reasonable gamble to improve the pen.
i think they need more than just a big bat. they need to do something with the dh (could be just resign butler, which i'd support if it was the right price/length). probably/possibly the outfield, too, depending on what they do with the dh. a top line starting pitcher and probably a back of the order starter too.
hopefully they have young pitchers to fill out the bullpen, but if not they need to pick up help there too.
