The Kansas City Royals have made it clear that improving their pitching staff will be a major priority during the offseason. Royals general manager Dayton Moore has done well thus far, he acquired lefthanded starter Jonathan Sanchez and prospect Ryan Verdugo for Melky Cabrera via a trade. Moore also signed reliever Jonathan Broxton to a one-year deal to shore up the bullpen.
Of course, every pitching staff could use a front-line starter that can eat up innings and have the stuff to strike people out when necessary. Is the answer for the Royals conundrum A.J. Burnett?
Joel Sherman believes that the Royals could be potential suitors for Burnett, along with their division rival Cleveland Indians.
My GUESS on other 2 teams is #Royals #Indians. Cle could defray some $ by dealing LH DH Hafner: owed about 15M for '12 plus '13 buyout (con)
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 12, 2012
Burnett has two years left off of his deal with $33 million owed to him remaining from his 5-year, $82.5 million deal that he signed back in 2008 as a free agent. With Gil Meche retiring and Jeff Francis not expected to return after losing 16 games, Burnett might not be ideal but could provide some stability to a rotation rounding into form in 2012.
For more on the Kansas City Royals be sure to check out Royals Review. For more news and analysis on Major League Baseball head on over to SB Nation's MLB page Baseball Nation.