Back at the Winter Meetings, J.J. Picollo drew a hard line. Cole Ragans is the pillar. He is the standard. You do not trade that away when you are trying to win the division. But that means Picollo needs to fix the pitching depth. J.J. Picollo’s stance creates clarity for everything that comes next. If Ragans stays, Kansas City’s real job is measurable. Build a staff that … [Read more...] about Why Keeping Cole Ragans Forces the Royals to Fix Their Pitching Depth
2026 Cy Young Award Dark Horses: Six Pitchers Ready to Flip the Script
Every spring, the Cy Young Award conversation begins the same way. A short list of aces dominates previews — the flamethrowers with viral highlights, the former winners, the pitchers already penciled into October lore. But baseball history tells a different story. For every chalk Cy Young season, there’s another shaped by evolution, health, and timing — the year when a pitcher … [Read more...] about 2026 Cy Young Award Dark Horses: Six Pitchers Ready to Flip the Script
Royals Offseason Strategy: The Competitive Window Is Open
The Kansas City Royals’ offseason strategy is not drifting through this winter. They are moving with purpose, sequencing decisions that point toward something larger than a single season. Roster construction, competitive window, and stadium pressure are now running on the same clock. What Kansas City has already done stabilizes the organization. But what they have not done yet … [Read more...] about Royals Offseason Strategy: The Competitive Window Is Open
Kansas City Acquires Matt Strahm to Remove Late-Inning Uncertainty
On Friday, the Kansas City Royals acquired left-handed reliever Matt Strahm from the Philadelphia Phillies in a trade, sending back right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, as first reported to MLB.com. The trade directly addresses a quiet but persistent weakness that surfaced repeatedly during the Royals’ 2025 season. The Royals did not acquire Strahm to add bullpen depth. The front … [Read more...] about Kansas City Acquires Matt Strahm to Remove Late-Inning Uncertainty
The Royals Set Their Direction by Extending Maikel Garcia
The Kansas City Royals gave Maikel Garcia an extension to keep control of their roster and reduce future uncertainty, not just to reward one good season. This five-year extension, reported by MLB.com, keeps Garcia with Bobby Witt Jr. through at least 2030 and marks an apparent change in Kansas City’s approach. The move shows the team’s commitment and control, rather than hope. … [Read more...] about The Royals Set Their Direction by Extending Maikel Garcia