Royals Miss Key Stadium Deadline, But the Clock Hasn’t Hit Zero Yet
The Kansas City Royals were absent from the final Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) meeting of the year, missing a major opportunity to get a new stadium deal moving forward in Kansas. The LCC confirmed that the Royals had “no deal on the table for consideration,” leaving the team short of the December 31 deadline lawmakers had imposed for a formal proposal.
But here’s the thing: that deadline isn’t carved in stone. Under the law, the real cutoff is June 30. So while the team didn’t meet the political timeline, the legal window for a deal is still wide open-if lawmakers are willing to revisit the issue in the new year.
This comes at a time when stadium talk in Kansas City is heating up, especially with the Chiefs announcing plans for their own new home. Naturally, more eyes are turning toward the Royals and their next move. For now, though, the team will head into 2026 still searching for clarity on where they’ll be playing long-term.
Pitching Philosophy: Chase Rate Still a Work in Progress
On the field, the Royals had a quietly solid year in some key areas-but there’s still work to be done, especially when it comes to pitching strategy. One stat that keeps popping up: chase rate.
Let’s break it down. Offensively, the Royals’ hitters chased pitches outside the strike zone 28.8% of the time-slightly above league average (28.1%).
That’s not terrible, but it still ranked 11th-highest in baseball. It’s a reminder that plate discipline remains a growth area for this lineup.
But the real story is on the mound. Royals pitchers had the seventh-lowest chase rate in MLB, meaning they struggled to get hitters to swing at pitches outside the zone.
That’s a problem in today’s game, where deception and swing-and-miss stuff are more valuable than ever. Even though Kansas City’s staff posted the sixth-best ERA in baseball-a real accomplishment-they also had the eighth-lowest strikeout rate.
That’s a tricky combo. ERA tells you they’re limiting damage, but the low strikeout numbers suggest they’re walking a fine line.
Balls in play can find holes. Strikeouts don’t.
So while Royals pitchers threw the eighth-highest percentage of pitches in the strike zone, they still went outside the zone 48.5% of the time. The opportunity to generate more chases is there-they just need the stuff to make it happen.
Bullpen Boost: Strahm Headlines a Targeted Offseason
Enter Matt Strahm. After dealing Angel Zerpa to the Brewers earlier this month, the Royals had a clear need for a lefty in the bullpen. Strahm fills that hole and then some, joining Lucas Erceg and Carlos Estévez to form what could be a formidable late-inning trio.
More importantly, Strahm brings something this bullpen sorely lacked: the ability to get hitters to chase. Last season, Royals relievers had a chase rate of just 29.7%-third-worst in the league.
That’s a tough number to live with in high-leverage spots. Adding Strahm, along with earlier acquisitions Nick Mears and Alex Lange, signals a clear shift in approach from GM J.J.
Picollo. The Royals aren’t just throwing arms at the problem-they’re targeting specific traits to improve performance where it matters most.
Kris Bubic: Trade Chip or Rotation Filler?
There’s also some buzz around Royals lefty Kris Bubic, who’s reportedly drawing interest from the Cubs. But Chicago isn’t looking to overpay for a rental, and Bubic is just one year away from free agency.
He’s a solid rotation piece-no question-but not necessarily a game-changer. For the Cubs, it’s all about whether the cost lines up with the value.
If the market thins out, Bubic could become a more appealing option. But for now, he’s more of a fallback than a headline move.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and a Core Worth Building Around
Even without a stadium deal in place, there’s real optimism around the Royals’ future. Baseball America’s J.J.
Cooper points to Kansas City as a team that’s building something meaningful on a modest budget. Fan-favorite Salvador Perez is still anchoring the clubhouse, but the long-term extensions for Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia are the real foundation here.
Those deals give the Royals a young, controllable core that can grow together-and give fans a reason to believe that another playoff run isn’t just wishful thinking. The 2026 season could be the moment this rebuild starts to pay off.
Around the Edges: Trade Rumors, Free Agents, and Fan Reactions
As the offseason rolls on, a few other Royals-related storylines are worth keeping an eye on:
- Trade chatter continues: The Mets have been linked to Bubic, while others have floated the idea of a reunion with reliever Hunter Harvey.
- Ryan O’Hearn’s breakout: The former Royal turned All-Star just landed the biggest free-agent deal for a position player in Pirates history.
That’s a testament to the development curve-and maybe a reminder of the talent the Royals have cycled through in recent years.
- Fan sentiment: With the Chiefs making stadium moves, Royals fans and local business owners are watching closely.
A potential relocation-whether across state lines or elsewhere-would have ripple effects well beyond the outfield wall.
Final Thought
The Royals have made some smart, targeted moves this offseason. They’re not swinging for the fences in free agency, but they’re addressing specific weaknesses-especially in the bullpen-and laying the groundwork for a more competitive future. The stadium situation is still in flux, but on the field, there's a sense that this team is getting closer to turning the corner.
And with a young core locked in, a revamped bullpen, and a pitching staff that’s already shown flashes, 2026 might not just be a hopeful year-it could be the start of something real.