Report: Royals to extend qualifying offer to trio of players

The Kansas City Royals will ensure they'll receive compensation should their top free agents sign elsewhere this winter.

General manager Dayton Moore will reportedly issue qualifying offers to first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, and center fielder Lorenzo Cain prior to Monday's 5 p.m. ET deadline, according to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star.

It's unlikely that any of the trio accepts the $17.4-million qualifying offer, guaranteeing the Royals a draft pick in 2018 for each player potentially lost in free agency.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Hosmer is projected to receive a six-year, $132-million deal, while Moustakas projects to net a five-year, $85-million pact and Cain a four-year, $70-million contract.

It's going to be a busy offseason for Moore and the rest of his front office as the club is also set to lose Melky Cabrera, Jason Vargas, Alcides Escobar, Trevor Cahill, and Peter Moylan to the open market.