3 Players the Royals Need to Sign Once MLB Lifts Freeze

The 2020 MLB season will be shortened from 162 games to 60, as Rob Manfred and the league finally instituted a late-July start date. This shortened season should give the league's bottom feeders an opportunity to sneak into the playoffs if they get hot at the right time. Kansas City might actually stand a chance in the AL Central this season, but the Royals will need to add these three veteran free agents if they want to spackle over some of the holes in the club's drywall they were unable to patch up in the offseason.

3. SP Danny Salazar

Cleveland Indians starter Danny Salazar / David Maxwell/Getty Images

Salazar has pitched in just one game during the last two seasons due to injury, but he is a former All-Star who has struck out more than a batter an inning over the course of his pro career. Kansas City's back end of the rotation is completely up in the air, and a lottery ticket like Salazar might give the Royals some security at the position if he returns to his old form. If he doesn't, Kansas City can drop him with a minimal financial handicap.

2. 2B Scooter Gennett

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Gennett is just one season removed from making an All-Star team after hitting .310 with 23 home runs as a Cincinnati Red. Yes, Gennett was awful last year, as he hit just .226 with two home runs in 42 games. However, Kansas City looks like an ideal place to revive his career. Whit Merrifield's versatility allows him to potentially concede his second base spot to Gennett. The Royals are lacking pop outside of Jorge Soler, and a Gennett revival could help Kansas City climb up the AL Central standings.

1. C Russell Martin

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin / Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Martin is a rarity, as 37-year-old catchers that can still rake don't come along too often. While the presence of Will Smith and Austin Barnes limited his playing time as a Dodger, Martin is as consistent as the day is long, providing solid defense with enough pop in his bat to come through with clutch hits every now and again. Salvador Perez is coming off of a major injury, and Martin could be a quality backup that could spell Perez every fifth day or wiggle into the DH rotation.