Eric Hosmer has pair of seven-year contract offers in hand

The free agent market in Major League Baseball has been slow to develop this offseason, but now looks primed for an action-packed January.

One of the biggest fish remaining in the free agent pond is first baseman Eric Hosmer.

It doesn't sound like he'll be available for long though.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Wednesday that Hosmer has an offer in hand to remain with the Royals for seven years and $147 million.

Given the club's budgetary restraints, that's probably their best and final offer. In fact, it's more than double the largest contract that the organization has ever given out.

It's certainly a strong one though and puts them in the mix to keep the superstar slugger, when at the end of the season it seemed like a foregone conclusion that he'd depart.

Their primary competition for Hosmer looks to be the San Diego Padres. They have also handed Hosmer a seven-year offer that's reportedly just under $140 million.

While paying Hosmer $20 million per year in his age-34 and age-35 seasons may seem excessive, he should be able to deliver enough surplus value during his prime to offset that cost.

Stay tuned, because it looks like there could be a resolution here soon, and that could very well be the necessary domino that leads to increased action around the league.