The Kansas City Royals appear to really want free agent Eric Hosmer to stay in Kansas City.
USA Today reported Wednesday that the team is offering the first baseman what would be a franchise-record deal: seven years, $147 million. That offer would top another offer reportedly before Hosmer, a seven-year, $140 million deal from the San Diego Padres.
Officials for both teams confirm to USA Today the lengths of the purported deals but would not disclose the monetary amounts.
The Royals' offer would be the richest in franchise history, shattering the four-year, $72 million deal signed by Gold Glove outfielder Alex Gordon in 2016.
Hosmer came up through the Royals' minor league system and has played his entire seven-year career in Kansas City. He's coming off a 2017 that was his best statistical season, when he matched a career-high with 25 home runs and set a career-best .318 batting average.
Kyle Palmer is KCUR's morning newscaster. Follow him on Twitter.
