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Just when we thought the Kansas City Royals had made their biggest splash of the offseason by locking in young superstar Bobby Witt Jr., new rumblings have surfaced. Those rumblings have names: Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger. Could the historically budget-conscious Royals be looking to make another major acquisition and lure these top-tier free agents to Kansas City? It seems too wild to be true, but as Fansided aptly states, the Royals aren’t the same team they were even a year ago. It looks like they are not done building yet.
In a dramatic departure from their recent past, the Royals bolstered their roster before the 2024 season. They added talented veteran free agents like Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Hunter Renfroe and bolstered young talents like Bobby Witt Jr. for the longest term. Yet, these moves, while exciting, may not be enough to propel them to the top of the AL Central. Enter Snell and Bellinger.
The Snell and Bellinger Factor: Kansas City Royals’ new saviors?
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Blake Snell, a seasoned pitcher with two Cy Young awards under his belt, would be a game-changer for Kansas City’s young rotation. And Cody Bellinger, a dynamic centerfielder with MVP-caliber potential, could plug a major hole in the Royals’ lineup.
BREAKING: The Kansas City Royals and Bobby Witt Jr. are in agreement on a 11-year, $288.7M contract extension! pic.twitter.com/8voaPQpMoY
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) February 5, 2024
Both players present risks—Snell has injury concerns and Bellinger has battled inconsistency—which explains why they remain unsigned. But as Fansided suggests, these risks offer a unique opportunity for the team.
A one- or two-year deal with Snell or Bellinger could prove highly rewarding. This less-traditional approach allows a historically cautious team to take a calculated risk that could transform their fortunes.
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A New Philosophy in Kansas City?
The Royals have already showcased a more assertive approach than fans are accustomed to this offseason. Could landing a name like Snell or Bellinger be another sign of a major philosophical shift, following in the footsteps of the Bobby Witt Jr. move? Perhaps their 2015 World Series win lit a fire, and they’re ready to return to contention. The pieces might be falling into place.
Imagine the buzz in Kauffman Stadium with Snell taking the mound and Bellinger patrolling the outfield! However, adding them might take around $50–$60 million—even for a short-term commitment, considering the free agents’ asking prices.
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Whether or not the Kansas City Royals take this audacious financial plunge like they did with Bobby Witt Jr. speaks volumes about their ambition. Making one of these moves would be like making a statement that their NFL counterpart, the Kansas City Chiefs, have made in this year’s Super Bowl: the Royals are not just hoping to contend; they’re ready to make the moves it takes to win right now.