Hot Stove League Review: Royals

The Royals are rebuilding through the farm system and seem to be content to let that process run its course without trading vets for prospects or significant spending on the free agent market.  That translated into a quiet offseason for the Royals.  Key Lines:

Free Agents Lost:  Cheslor Cuthbert(IF), Jorge Bonifacio(OF), Jacob Barnes(RHP), Trevor Oaks(RHP).

Free Agents Signed:  Alex Gordon(OF- re-signed), Maikel Franco(3B), Jesse Hahn(RHP- re-signed), Trevor Rosenthal(RHP- signed minor league deal but selected for MLB club with $2 M guarantee).

Trades:  Acquired Chance Adams(RHP) from the Yankees for Cristian Perez(SS).

Rule 5 Draft:  Stephen Woods Jr. from the Rays.

Minor League Free Agents:   Greg Holland(RHP), Humberto Arteaga(IF- re-signed after being DFA's from MLB roster), Braden Shipley(RHP), Matt Reynolds(IF), Erick Mejia(UT).

Sold: Franchise to John Sherman, previously a minority owner.

Hired:  New Manager, Mike Matheny.

Summary:  Maybe the inactivity was due to uncertainty at what ownership level, but it still has to be disheartening for the fanbase.  The Royals actually have some pretty good players like Salvador Perez coming back at catcher, Whit Merrifield and last years AL HR champ, Jorge Soler, SS Adalberto Mondesi and Hunter Dozier, who could either be trade chips or building blocks to add to.  GM Dayton Moore did neither the rubbed salt in the wound by hiring a manager who was widely considered a disaster in his last stop managing the Cardinals.  BTW, Stephen Woods is a former Giants prospect.

Grade F