Most of the Royals' cornerstone players, including first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and shortstop Alcides Escobar, are signed through the 2017 season. The Royals also re-signed outfielder Alex Gordon to a four-year deal this past offseason.
"We've basically got the same crew," mananger Ned Yost said. "They're motivated, excited to get going, but we want to win world championships for Kansas City and this organization."
Cueto's new look
Johnny Cueto showed off some orange-tinted dreadlocks beneath his off-kilter cap that will fit in perfectly with his new San Francisco Giants colors. His former team, the World Series champion Kansas City Royals, arrived in the desert and were set to get started Friday.
Any nerves for Cueto at this stage after just winning it all with the Royals?
"Claro que no" — of course not, he quipped. "Maybe if I were a rookie," he said through translator Erwin Higueros. "I came from pitching in the World Series. I don't get nervous."
Cueto's move aside, some things won't change in the Royals world: The announced contract extensions for General Manager Dayton Moore and team Manager Ned Yost.
VIDEO: Re-live the awesomeness of the 2015 World Series run!
Moore, who grew up a Royals fan, took over a downtrodden franchise in 2006 that hadn't had a winning season in a dozen years. The team's farm system was in shambles, fan apathy was at a nadir, and the only thing Kansas City had going for it was a ballpark considered one of the jewels of baseball.
Kansas City won its first championship since 1985 when it beat the New York Mets last fall.
"You can't find an individual with a stronger work ethic or dedication to his craft," Royals president Dan Glass said in a statement. "He possesses all of the qualities you look for starting with his leadership, organizational vision and tireless dedication to the position."
A longtime Atlanta Braves executive, Moore has been in lockstep with Yost — himself a former Braves bench coach — since promoting him to manager of the Royals during the 2010 season.
We stay hungry. #ItAllStartsHere #RoyalsSThttps://t.co/mlZnynpiaP
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 18, 2016
Where the Royals go for spring training
Located about 25 miles northwest of Phoenix, Surprise Stadium is the place the Royals and Texas Rangers call home of spring training.
- seats 10,500 fans
- 124-acre site
- includes six full practice fields and a half field
- features clubhouse and office facilities
