[duncan_idaho]

First steps as GM for me this offseason (if I'm calling the shots).

1) approach Hosmer about a long-term deal. Once that doesn't happen, you can move on to guys you actually have a shot with without offending anyone.

2) Get Duffy extended (4 years, 50ish million sounds about right). Backload that sucker and clear up payroll for 2017 (should be able to save 4-5 million off his arbitration figure).

2) Try to extend Moustakas. Something like Chase Headley's deal is what I've seen thrown around by a few others. Seems about right - 4 years, 50ish million. If he continues to perform like 2015, it's actually a good deal for the team and more neutral for him. Adds a layer of security for Moustakas.

I think that ends up being a win, anyway, as I think Moose's skills will age well into his early 30s compared to Cain and Hosmer.
Again, hopefully save around 4 million on 2017 salary.

3) try to extend Herrera. A little trickier and more risky, but still a move that adds long-term stability while hopefully freeing up a few million more in payroll room.

4) work with Greg Holland and Luke Hochevar on incentive-based deals. Don't need both of them, but adding at least one would help the pen a lot. If holland's elbow checks out and his slider is good, I'd lean that way.

5) Explore a Wade Davis trade. I'd need to be blown away, but if a team like the Nationals wants to give up a Reynaldo Lopez for him, I make the deal. Also think the Cubs would be an interesting partner (with Ian Happ as my top target), but they may need those bullets for Chris Archer. If you can't trade to bolster he rotation, I'd look at a guy like Henderson Alvarez in FA.

Based on those 5 things, stick a toe in the DH market. It's pretty flooded, and a SH or RH-hitting option makes a lot of sense for the Royals if you can do it on a one- or two-year deal for $10 million/year or less. Really need that bat hitting 5th behind Hosmer to lengthen the lineup, in my opinion.

This could be Beltran or Morales or Holliday or Steve Pearce. Aaron Hill also intrigues me a bit, could be really cheap and offer a little 3b insurance.


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