With Alex Gordon calling it a career at the end of the 2020 season, the Royals will need to find his replacement in left field. I believe Matt Joyce could fit the Royals’ needs. Despite his somewhat down year offensively, his on base percentage was solid with a .351. That’s fifth worst in baseball. Even though the Royals don’t have too many big contracts on the books for the 2021 season, I don’t believe they will spend big money on free agents this off-season. Despite his age, I believe he would fit in the Royals outfield pretty well. I believe his main role would be to play left field until the Royals are ready to call up an outfield prospect. Now I understand the Royals have many options for left field in Bubba Starling, Nick Heath and Franchy Cordero, but I still believe Joyce would fit in with the Royals pretty well in 2021. Despite there being many free agent options available for the Royals to choose from in Matt Kemp, Billy Hamilton, Jarrod Dyson and many others I still believe Joyce is the answer for the Royals outfield needs. Unfortunately I don’t believe Joyce will bring the Royals any trade value, but the Royals will probably pick up a bullpen arm or two with trade value. If the Royals do sign Joyce, I think we should probably not expect him to be a power threat, but I believe he will get on base during big moments in games. I believe the Royals could sign Joyce to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training to compete for an outfield job with Nick Heath and Bubba Starling. I believe the battle for the starting outfield job will come down to offensive numbers at the end of spring training and who has a higher on base percentage. It’s important to remember whomever the Royals put in the outfield, it won’t be an Alex Gordon type of player. This upcoming off-season will be interesting for the Royals with Alex Gordon calling it a career.
