SURPRISE, Ariz. -- With all the debate about potential long-term deals involving the Royals' pending free agents such as Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, it seems few observers are talking this spring about center fielder Lorenzo Cain's long-term value to the team.
And that seems somewhat strange, considering what Cain brings to the team.
In fact, Royals officials, including manager Ned Yost, believe it was Cain's absence due to a hand/wrist injury last September that put the final road block up to the club's postseason chances.
The Royals had withstood injuries to Moustakas, Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez and closer Wade Davis, and near the end of August, they were still right in the thick of the American League Wild Card race and only 5 1/2 games back of the division-leading Indians.