The path to back to back playoff seasons and a 3rd consecutive winning season, could possibly be had with these dreamy additions:



Free Agents:

Starting Pitcher Options (hopefully one or two picked up)

Josh Johnson (SD) - 1 year/$5 million, coming off consecutive injury plagued seasons, possible buy low, high potential (ace caliber if health returns) Brandon Morrow (TOR) - 1 year/$6 million, coming off injury plagued season, another buy low, high potential (#2 type starter if health returns) Brett Anderson (COL) - 1 year/$7 million, coming off injury plagued season, yet again another buy low, high potential (#2 type starter if health returns) Brandon McCarthy (NYY) - 2 years/$24 million, had a great second half in New York of all places, might demand more years, but he could be a very successful pitcher with this defense and ballpark

Outfield/DH Options

Michael Morse (SF) - 1 year/$6 or 7 million, could be a viable option to rotate between RF and DH, has a reverse split, but plenty of power Ichiro Suzuki (NYY) - 1/$5 million, could be a viable option to rotate between RF and DH, average is still there, defense is adequate

I don't believe our answers to the holes in the lineups in RF, 2B, and 3B are going to be answered via free agency, so I put together some Trade Targets I would love to see the Royals pursue.

I think the possibility of repeating a playoff birth is slim, but making moves for MLB ready youth with our project-able prospects and talented bullpen should be considered. Dumping some of our talented but overpriced bullpen would also free up some salary space for the Royals for hopefully a move on some defected Cuban players.

Paying overprice for Free Agents is where small market teams can sink themselves. Making small moves with one year deals on players with high upside potential should be the Royals business plan in regards to filling the vacancy of James Shields, Nori Aoki, and Billy Butler.