It now appears it’s a question of when, not if, Carlos Beltrán will be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 file photo, Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates with third base coach Vance Wilson after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Royals have given six-time All-Star catcher Salvador Prez the richest contract in club history, a four-year, $82 million deal that begins in 2022. Kansas City announced Sunday, March 21, 2021 it had extended Prez's time with the team. That's when the Royals gave the six-time All-Star catcher an $82 million, four-year deal — the richest in club history — that will begin after his current contract in 2022. The value of the new deal surpasses the $72 million four-year contract the Royals gave outfielder Alex Gordon in 2016.

– The Kansas City Royals and veteran first baseman Carlos Santana have agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract that plugs one of their biggest offensive holes while providing some clubhouse leadership for a rebuilding club. The 34-year-old Santana was an All-Star two years ago in Cleveland, when he hit a career-best .281 with 34 homers and 93 RBIs. Santana has hit .288 with 31 homers and 93 RBIs in 151 career games against them, the best of any team in the division. Relief pitcher Mike Minor signed an $18 million, two-year deal and outfielder Michael Taylor a $1.75 million deal for next season, and nearly all their arbitration-eligible players are under contract. That includes an $8.05 million contract for slugger Jorge Soler and a $3.35 million deal for staff ace Brad Keller.

Arenado won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)ST. LOUIS – Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove and right fielder Mookie Betts snared his fifth in a row on Tuesday, his first with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers after four with Boston. Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon also won his eighth Gold Glove — and fourth straight — in his final major league season. They were joined by seven first-time winners, including Indians second baseman César Hernández. Arenado and Robert earned $9,259, prorated portions of $25,000, and O’Neill earned $3,704, a prorated portion of $10,000.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, whose rollercoaster career took him from near bust to All-Star and Gold Glove winner, will retire after the season. He wound up playing his entire 14-year career in Kansas City, joining George Brett and Frank White as position players with that much longevity with the franchise. The three-time All-Star also holds the dubious distinction of being the Royals' career leader in getting hit by pitches. It was during the 2015 that Gordon hit one of the iconic homers in Royals history.

Kansas City Royals' Hunter Dozier bats during the first inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Houston Astros in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, July 20, 2020. Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Dozier has tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the injured list before the club played its final exhibition game against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Wednesday. And it still snuck up on them.The positive test leaves Matheny with another hole to fill in his starting lineup. Ryan McBroom, who made his big league debut last season, will likely start at first base with O'Hearn sidelined by the virus. Danny Duffy will start opening day against Cleveland and rookie Brady Singer will make his big league debut on Saturday.