Kyle Lohse, Anibal Sanchez named as Royals offseason targets

The Kansas City Royals enter the 2012 offseason with one goal in mind -- upgrading the starting rotation.

Though the Royals would never publicly announce free agent targets, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star believes that free agents Anibal Sanchez and Kyle Lohse are atop Kansas City's wish-list this winter, as the Royals prepare for 2013.

Neither Moore nor other club officials will announce free-agent targets since there is no advantage in doing so, but there are indications the Royals have right-handers Anibal Sánchez and Kyle Lohse at the top of their list.

Sanchez began the season with the Miami Marlins, before being traded to the Detroit Tigers during the middle of the season. Sanchez finished the regular season with a 9-13 record, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 195⅔ innings. The 28-year-old righty struck out 167 and walked 48 batters.

Lohse has had a career year for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, and will likely be on a few Cy Young ballots. Lohse went 16-3 for St. Louis, with a 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

The Royals figure to have stiff competition for either starter, and will likely have to overpay to sign either target. Still, it's encouraging for Royals fans to see that the team is looking to upgrade the starting rotation over the winter.