One of the Royals' top free-agent targets sounds like he expects to be be available this winter on the free-agent market.

   Veteran right-hander Kyle Lohse says he has yet to receive an offer from the Cardinals and has started to think about other places. Lohse made his comments Monday to former general manager Jim Bowden, who now hosts a show on MLB Network Radio.

   Lohse and Detroit right-hander Anibal Sanchez are believed to be the top two free agents on the Royals' off-season list in seeking to bolster their rotation.

   The Cardinals appear loaded with young pitching and might be willing to let Lohse walk despite a career-best season: 16-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 33 starts. He is completing a four-year deal for $41 million and is likely to seek a similar or better contract in free agency.

   The risk for the Royals and other interested parties is Lohse just turned 34 and hasn't always been a front-line starter in his 12-year career. He career record was below .500 until this season even though he's generally pitched for good clubs.

   Also: Lohse was a combined 10-18 with a 5.54 ERA in 2009-10.

   One positive is Lohse is likely to cost less than Sanchez, whose price is sure to climb after two strong postseason starts.