Kansas City, Mo. ? Hopes for swift negotiations with Luke Hochevar, Kansas City’s overall No. 1 draft pick, may soon begin to fade.

The Royals have made an offer to the big right-handed starter, who sat out all last year after refusing a $2.98 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But they’re still waiting for a counteroffer from Scott Boras, his California-based agent, who has represented other clients with whom Kansas City had trouble reaching agreements.

General manager Dayton Moore said negotiations were “moving at a rate I think everybody feels comfortable with right now.”