The Royals began the offseason with a three-year signing to keep their excellent rotation intact. They traded from that starting staff a month later to acquire a new leadoff hitter. Kansas City hoped to follow up with an impact offensive acquisition that never materialized. They instead turned to the relief market late in the winter to add a veteran closer.
Major League Signings
- RHP Michael Wacha: Three years, $51MM (including buyout of 2028 club option)
- RHP Carlos Estévez: Two years, $22MM (including buyout of 2027 club option)
- RHP Michael Lorenzen: One year, $7MM (including buyout of 2026 mutual option)
2025 spending: $35MM
Total spending: $80MM
Option Decisions
- RF Hunter Renfroe exercised $7.5MM player option
- RHP Chris Stratton exercised $4.5MM player option
- Team declined $8.5MM mutual option on 2B Adam Frazier in favor of $2.5MM buyout
Trades and Claims
- Acquired 2B Jonathan India and RF Joey Wiemer from Reds for RHP Brady Singer
- Claimed SS Braden Shewmake from White Sox (later lost on waivers to Yankees)
Extensions
- Signed LHP Cole Ragans to three-year, $13.25MM deal to cover final pre-arb year and first two arbitration seasons
Notable Minor League Signings
- Cavan Biggio, Harold Castro, Taylor Clarke, Austin Cox, Junior Fernández, Jordan Groshans, Thomas Hatch, Luke Maile, Ross Stripling
Notable Losses
- Brady Singer, Will Smith, Adam Frazier, Garrett Hampson, Tommy Pham, Paul DeJong, Robbie Grossman, Yuli Gurriel
The Royals were perhaps the most surprising playoff team of 2024. Kansas City had a 30-win improvement relative to the preceding season. They held the Orioles to one run in two games to sweep their Wild Card series. The Yankees knocked K.C. off in the Division Series, but the Royals’ window has reopened after a nine-year postseason drought.
They remain one of the more top-heavy contenders. Kansas City’s success was built around an elite rotation and an MVP-caliber season from Bobby Witt Jr. They preserved a crucial piece of that rotation just before free agency opened. Kansas City signed Michael Wacha to a three-year, $51MM extension to keep him from opting out and testing free agency. The veteran righty rejoins Seth Lugo as the 2-3 arms behind breakout left-hander Cole Ragans.
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription
- Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony.
- Remove ads and support our writers.
- Access GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker