The Royals already made one move to improve the offense, acquiring Jonathan India from the Reds two weeks ago. India will hit at the top of the lineup. Kansas City is also on the hunt for a middle-of-the-order bat, write Will Sammon, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.
As with India, it seems a potential acquisition will come via trade. The Athletic writes that the Royals are likelier to acquire that middle-of-the-order target on the trade market rather than a free agent splash. That’s not surprising for a small-market franchise.
Kansas City did spend over $100MM in free agency last offseason, though that was mostly concentrated in a pair of mid-level rotation investments (Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha). They’ve already made a significant commitment to bring Wacha back on a three-year, $51MM deal after he opted out of his prior contract. RosterResource calculates the Royals’ 2025 payroll commitments around $116MM, including projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players. That’s essentially where they opened this past season. It’s fair to presume they’re willing to increase spending on the heels of a surprising playoff berth, but adding an impact bat in free agency would require a significant payroll jump.
The Royals could certainly use another bat. Kansas City had a middle-of-the-pack offense despite an MVP-caliber season from Bobby Witt Jr. and a fantastic year from Salvador Perez. The Royals finished 13th in the majors in scoring. They placed between 10th and 19th in all three slash stats. Acquiring India should improve the team’s .306 on-base percentage, but he’s not likely to provide much of a power threat.
India, Witt, Perez and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino comprise a strong top half of the lineup. There’s work to be done in the bottom part of the order. Hunter Renfroe, MJ Melendez, Maikel Garcia and Kyle Isbel project to play key roles despite subpar offensive seasons. The outfield has been a longstanding issue and remains a concern. Kansas City could also upgrade at third base while pushing Garcia into a utility role.
Nolan Arenado headlines the trade market at third base, but he’s under contract for another three years and is still owed nearly $70MM (not including the money the Rockies are paying as a condition of his trade to the Cardinals). Arenado also has full no-trade rights. Alec Bohm has come up in trade rumors as the Phillies look for ways to adjust their lineup. He’s under arbitration control for another two seasons and projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for an $8.1MM salary. Arizona could still move Eugenio Suárez after exercising a $15MM club option.
In the outfield, the Cubs would probably welcome the opportunity to shed the $50MM remaining on Cody Bellinger’s contract, but the Royals are unlikely to assume a big portion of next year’s $27.5MM salary. Kansas City has reportedly shown interest in Angels left fielder Taylor Ward, who is under control for two more seasons and projected for a $9.2MM salary. The Halos are unlikely to move him unless they get MLB talent in return.
The Giants could deal Mike Yastrzemski, who’ll make $9.25MM in his final year of team control. Cleveland could move Lane Thomas but is unlikely to trade him to a direct AL Central competitor. The White Sox are open to offers on anyone, including center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Yet as MLBTR’s Steve Adams explored last week, a deadline trade involving Robert seems likelier than selling low this offseason.