The Kansas City Royals have been active this offseason, clearly looking to shore up their outfield depth. But as things stand, their search for a major addition may be coming up short.
Right now, the Royals’ outfield picture features Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas, Jac Caglianone, and Kyle Isbel - a group with some upside but plenty of question marks. And while Kansas City had been eyeing bigger names to round out the mix, that pursuit appears to be hitting a wall.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Royals are “increasingly unlikely” to land either of the two outfielders they’ve been targeting via trade: Boston’s Jarren Duran and St. Louis’ Brendan Donovan.
Both players had been floated as potential fits for Kansas City - Duran as the odd man out in a crowded Red Sox outfield, and Donovan as part of a Cardinals roster that’s shifting into rebuild mode. But despite the mutual interest, those deals now appear to be off the table.
And that’s a tough break for a Royals team that could really use a spark in the outfield. Duran’s speed and improving bat would’ve added a dynamic element to the lineup, while Donovan’s versatility and on-base skills would’ve provided a steady presence in the top half of the order. Neither is a household name just yet, but both are young, controllable, and trending in the right direction - exactly the kind of players Kansas City should be targeting as they try to build something sustainable.
Instead, the Royals seem poised to roll into 2026 with their current group - and that group comes with some real uncertainty.
Caglianone is the wildcard. He’s got raw power and the kind of physical tools that can turn heads, but he’s still unproven at the MLB level.
Collins had a breakout year, but it’s fair to wonder if he can replicate that success. Thomas has struggled to find consistency, and Isbel, while solid defensively, hasn’t shown he can be a difference-maker with the bat.
That’s not to say this outfield is a lost cause. There’s talent here, and with the infield shaping up as a strength, the Royals might be able to get by. But if they want to take a real step forward in 2026, adding a more established bat to the outfield would’ve gone a long way.
There’s still time for a move to materialize - the offseason isn’t over yet. But based on the latest reports, it looks like Kansas City will have to keep searching elsewhere, as both Duran and Donovan appear to be off the board.
For a club trying to turn the corner, that’s a disappointing development.