The Royals Review free agent prediction thread

Yesterday, 149 players became free agents, including eight Royals players. MLB Trade Rumors went ahead and predicted where the top 50 free agents will go, and for how much, and the results were interesting.

They predict Eric Hosmer to stay with the Royals, for the low, low price of six years, and $132 million. They call Hosmer “polarizing” and unlikely to be signed by any analytical team, with the Royals, Red Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, and Mariners all in the market.

Most seem to think Mike Moustakas will return to his native California - Jon Heyman reports the Angels are already coveting him. But MLB Trade Rumors predicts him to the Atlanta Braves on a five-year, $85 million deal. They mention the Royals, Angels, and Cardinals to be other teams that could be interested in him.

Lorenzo Cain is headed to San Francisco if their predictions hold true, on a four-year, $70 million deal. The Dexter Fowler deal is used as a comp, and the Rangers, Giants, Blue Jays, and Mariners are listed as other potential suitors.

The relief market could be ridiculous again if Mike Minor gets the four-year, $28 million deal that MLB Trade Rumors predicts. They have him headed to the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Minor is coming off a strong relief season, but is also a major injury risk after labrum surgery a few years back.

On the other end, Jason Vargas is coming off one of his best seasons as a starter, but MLB Trade Rumors predicts just a one-year, $10 million deal for him from the Orioles. Vargas got off to a terrific start in his first full season from Tommy John surgery, but struggled in the second half.

As for new additions to the Royals, MLB Trade Rumors predicts they will sign outfielder Carlos Gomez to a two-year, $22 million deal. The only replacements for Lorenzo Cain internally are Billy Burns and Bubba Starling, however the Royals may find a reunion with Jarrod Dyson to be a cheaper, and more productive option. They also predict the Royals sign Jaime Garcia to a two-year, $16 million deal. The Royals were interested in the left-handed starter last summer, but likely lack the financial flexibility to pursue another free agent starting pitcher.

Here are their top 20 free agents this winter. Where do you predict they end up?

1. Yu Darvish
2. J.D. Martinez
3. Eric Hosmer
4. Jake Arrieta
5. Masahiro Tanaka
6. Mike Moustakas
7. Lorenzo Cain
8. Wade Davis
9. Lance Lynn
10. Greg Holland
11. Alex Cobb
12. Carlos Santana
13. Zack Cozart
14. Jay Bruce
15. Logan Morrison
16. Addison Reed
17. Todd Frazier
18. Mike Minor
19. Brandon Morrow
20. Jonathan Lucroy

Extra credit:

Jason Vargas

Alcides Escobar

Melky Cabrera