The KC Royals, a team transformed by the ripple sent through its lineup by the recent signing of third baseman Maikel Franco, has as much of an outfield puzzle than it had before Franco joined the club. While the deal’s most immediate consequence firms up two outfield slots, it lends little clarity to an otherwise muddled outfield picture.
Before Franco signed, Hunter Dozier appeared established at third base after an excellent 2019 season and jack-of-all-trades Whit Merrifield seemed the best bet to play right field regularly. Bubba Starling and Brett Phillips were expected to contest center and Alex Gordon to play left if he doesn’t retire; if he does, Merrifield was expected to claim center or right, leaving the other two spots up for grabs between Starling, Phillips, a possible free agent or trade acquisition, or Ryan McBroom.