The Kansas City Royals were one of the more competitive small-market teams this season, finishing with an 82-80 record and just barely missing the playoffs. This offseason, they need to make a splash and find another superstar to pair with Bobby Witt Jr.
Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes the superstar they should go for is two-time All-Star and World Series hero Bo Bichette, who almost single-handedly willed the Toronto Blue Jays to a third World Series win, before falling in extra innings in Game Seven.
“The Kansas City Royals managed to extend Bobby Witt Jr., a huge statement of intent. Last season was therefore doubly disappointing. The offense needs a huge facelift and there's room to upgrade at second base, opposite Witt. Bichette's defensive shortcomings are well-documented, but he's one of the most consistent hitters in MLB — a hard contact machine, able to work deep into counts and keep strikeouts to a negligible amount. His steady production behind Witt in the lineup would move the needle big time for KC,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Bichette slashed.311/.357/.483/.840 with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI in 139 games. Combine his bat with Witt’s and a sophomore Jac Caglianone, and the Royals may have the best offense in the AL Central.
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The only thing that would make KC hesitant is the price tag. Bichette is projected to land an eight-year, $186 million deal. However, they already signed Witt to a mega deal, so if they sign Bichette, it could set a precedent for all other small-market teams.
Hopefully, the Royals do pursue Bichette and make it known that just because they are a small-market team, they won’t try to land a big fish.
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