Kansas City might be prepared to offer its starting first a baseman a new contract. Eric Hosmer has had a notable amount of success offensively over the last few seasons, and according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Royals are "starting to think" about a long-term deal for Hosmer.
Hosmer, 25, is due $8.25 million next season and then has one more year of arbitration. Although the Royals might not consider signing Hosmer to an expensive and lengthy extension, signing him to a new deal now might prove to be more beneficial than waiting and allowing him to test the free agent market. A three or four year deal might be most realistic for the Royals' starting first baseman.
While the Royals have interest, extending Hosmer could prove to be a challenge. Hosmer is a Scott Boras client, and more often than not, Boras encourages his clients to test the free agent market rather than sign an extension prematurely. The Royals do appear to have a good relationship with Boras after signing Alex Rios and Kendrys Morales, though, Heyman adds.
Hosmer's offensive success could prove to be an additional barrier to negotiating a long-term deal. Over 118 games this season, Hosmer is batting .315/.378/.482 to complement 14 home runs and 72 RBIs. In 2014, he batted .270/.318/.398 in addition to nine home runs and 58 RBIs. The lone season during which Hosmer struggled a bit was 2012 (.232 average), but even then he hit 14 home runs and drove in 60 over 152 contests.
In addition to preparing an extension for Hosmer, the Royals might also consider extending Lorenzo Cain, according to Heyman. Cain, 29, is batting .306/.360/.490 to complement 12 home runs and 54 RBIs over 107 games. He has also stolen 24 bases and has posted the sixth best WAR in baseball (6.2).
The Royals have positioned themselves to win another division title but the club might have an active offseason. Extension talks could become the focal point for Kansas City this winter.