Report: Royals anticipate Hosmer will seek 10-year deal in free agency

Eric Hosmer could be facing his final season in Kansas City.

Though the Royals are said to be looking to lock up their first baseman to an extension, they could be priced out of his market if he enters free agency following the 2017 season, as FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the club is anticipating he will seek a 10-year deal on the open market.

If Hosmer and the club don't agree to a deal before Opening Day, the 27-year-old hinted he intends to test the market after the upcoming season.

"I don't know if it's going to heat up now in spring training," Hosmer told Rosenthal. "But during the season, I don't like being bothered with that stuff. If something doesn't happen here, I don't see anything during the season really happening."

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Rosenthal notes that the timing of Hosmer's free agency could complicate matters for the Royals. Third baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Lorenzo Cain will also become free agents after the season, and high-revenue clubs such as the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies could target Hosmer in their search for a first baseman.

Though he understands the small-market Royals will be hard-pressed to retain Hosmer, general manager Dayton Moore intends to do everything possible to keep the first baseman in Kansas City long term.

"We as an organization have a strong desire to extend Eric," Moore said, according to Rosenthal. "We're confident in his desire to be here in Kansas City. As with him and all our players, we'll work as hard as we can to execute a deal."