Royals' humorous free agent inquiry will drive KC back to negotiating table with Reds

It was worth a shot, right? At least that's what Kansas City Royals fans are saying following reports of the team's interest in signing free agent outfielder Juan Soto. According to New York Post columnist and MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Royals were the second small-market club to "check in" on Soto. And no, the Cincinnati Reds were not the other.

The Royals, much like the Reds, rely on drafting and developing talent more so than free agent signings; especially procuring a once-in-a-generation talent like Soto. The All-Star outfielder, who finished third in the AL MVP race, is expected to sign a contract somewhere between $550-$650 million.

Soto's contract demands are so high that even some of the routine spenders like the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays are considered long shots to ink hottest ticket on the open market. The New York Mets are thought to be the favorites to land Soto at the moment, but the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox are also in the mix.

Royals' humorous Juan Soto inquiry will drive KC back to negotiating table with Reds

With Kansas City's chances of signing Soto somewhere between 'not now' and 'never', the Royals could easily return to the negotiating table with the Reds. Cincinnati and KC were said to be discussing a trade that would send Jonathan India to the Royals in exchange for starting pitcher Brandy Singer. However, after Nick Martinez agreed to sign the qualifying offer, those talks are said to have cooled.

But with the MLB Winter Meetings slated to begin shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday, Reds fans may see those same rumors pop up once again. India has been a frequent trade target, and with the Reds' infield depth, trading the former NL Rookie of the Year only makes sense.

If the Reds no longer want to add Singer, there are other players on the Royals roster who could be gettable. Kris Bubic and Alec Marsh would bring some added depth to the Reds' pitching staff, and Kansas City has a deep and talented farm system as well. So while the Royals' brief inquiry into Soto's availability likely ended rather abruptly, it could drive KC back to the Reds as they look to bolster their lineup.

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