The Royals are "expected to spend" more than $110M in payroll in '18, a reduction of more than $30M from '17, according to Rustin Dodd of the K.C. STAR. That figure represents a "significant trimming after club-record payrolls during the last three seasons, including expenditures" of more than $130M in '16 and $140M in '17. Royals officials have "expressed a desire to curtail spending" in '18, hoping to field a payroll in the $105-110M range after "two years of disappointing finishes." If the club "holds firm on that goal," any late deal for 1B Eric Hosmer, who is among the dozens of free agents yet to sign this offseason, would "likely require additional moves to reduce payroll." However, it is possible that the team "could make an exception for Hosmer" (K.C. STAR, 2/7). THE ATHLETIC's Ken Rosenthal wrote the reaction "would be predictable" if the Royals bring Hosmer back with a "monster long-term contract." However, the Royals "generally see the world differently than more analytically-driven teams." Royals Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Dayton Moore "believes in the value of experience and leadership, and the signing of Hosmer would merely be the latest example of the team's more subjective approach." Hosmer's "stature in the community also carries weight" in the team's decision. While it "would be difficult" to add a nine-figure contract to the team's budget, the Royals "almost certainly would back-load Hosmer's contract in anticipation of a new local TV deal that would begin" in '20 (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/6).
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN: In K.C., Leslie Collins reports locally-based Walz Tetrick Advertising in its new billboard campaign is “linking the past and the present to celebrate” the Royals’ 50th anniversary season. What makes the campaign “particularly unique is the billboards will sport a different look at night.” The first billboard during the day features Baseball HOFer George Brett and Royals C Salvador Perez “swinging at a ball” and “between them is the 50th season logo.” However, at night, the "player’s forms and the logo become outlined.” The words “’Salvy’ and ‘Brett’ also appear above the players in bold letters, and the white billboard turns to black” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/7).
