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Royals react to Eric Hosmer's departure

Posted at 8:17 PM, Feb 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-18 21:17:44-05

Eric Hosmer was priority number one this offseason for Dayton Moore to get signed. It appeared Hosmer had only one other suitor --The San Diego Padres and that was enough.

"Yeah, I had a pretty good sense about four days ago that it probably wasn't going to work here. You still hold out hope but we began to develop a mindset that they're probably going in a different direction."

With Eric Hosmer’s official departure, this team is going to have to find a new identity.  

It was a group of guys who grew up together. Now the family has split up. They all agreed they’ve had some great times together in what can be the difficult business of baseball.

"Asking to go over memories of the whole decade is tough because you're gonna be here for a while," said Royals pitcher Danny Duffy. "But that was my guy, man. One of my best friends. Whatever he gets he deserves."

Manger Ned Yost said, "In our era we just played to play. The contracts are a little more. There's a little more involved these days. Guys are looking a little more at the green."

"It's kind of the sucky part of our game but he's earned it. He's earned that right to go to free agency to sign what he signed. He's a hell of a guy and a hell of a teammate and we are all happy for him," said Drew Butera.