KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sitting in his office early Saturday morning, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost asked a question: “What are they paying those guys to compete in the Home Run Derby these days?”



A reporter, sitting on the couch in front of him, responded, “I think a million.”



“A million to win it???” Yost asked.



The reporter nodded. Yost, who was wearing a blue “Vote Dozier” T-shirt in support of Royals third baseman and All-Star finalist Hunter Dozier, initially said he didn’t see much benefit to competing in the derby. Now, his eyes bulged in semi-disbelief.



“Oh, then I would like to see (Jorge) Soler in it,” he said, laughing.



The Kansas City Royals have not had a derby competitor since 2017 when MLB chose former Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. He was more than deserving — his 38 home runs that year remain the most in a season for a...