John Sherman says the Royals are ready to spend, but not everywhere.
In a sit-down with Josh Vernier after the deadline, the Royals owner said the club believes it has made progress in the outfield and can build around a rotation that currently includes Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo and Noah Cameron. Even with injuries piling up, Sherman said the team can add to that group on the market, though he also made clear the bullpen remains the biggest problem area.
“We have a rotation that right now Wacha, Lugo and (Noah) Cameron, and got some guys hurt. But we can build on that.
We got some younger guys too, but we can go to the market, I think, and supplement that. But we’ve got a lot of work to do in the bullpen, and I do think that JJ got a little bit of a head start on that.”
Sherman said he thinks the bullpen can be “cobbled” together without a major financial commitment. He pointed to the money already tied up this season in Carlos Estevez, who has missed most of the year because of injury, and Matt Strahm, who was released earlier this month after struggling.
The rotation has also taken hits from injuries to Cole Ragans, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila, all of whom had Tommy John surgery. Daniel Lynch IV is viewed as a rotation candidate in 2027, but Sherman expects the Royals to spend on the rotation this offseason.
While that conversation was happening, the Royals added a name with real closing pedigree to the mix: Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Rays shortly after the Trade Deadline, then elected free agency after clearing waivers. That opened the door for Kansas City to bring him in and give a battered bullpen some much-needed experience.
And Kimbrel brings plenty of it. He owns 440 career saves, which ranks fifth on the all-time list, along with a 2.67 ERA and 1,314 strikeouts in 884 appearances over 17 seasons. His résumé includes nine All-Star selections, a 2018 World Series title, the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award and reliever honors from both leagues - the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year in 2014 and the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year in 2017.
Manager Matt Quatraro said Kimbrel won’t be locked into one inning or one job.
“He’s going to pitch in different roles,” said manager Matt Quatraro of Kimbrel’s spot in the bullpen. “Could be early, could be late, depending on who’s available. But his presence, his accountability, all the things that have made him great over the years to help rub off on some of the young guys as we continue to build.”
The move fits a season that keeps offering small things to watch even as the bigger picture stays rough. The Royals are shifting a reliever into the rotation, with his first start coming Friday.
A rookie and another pitcher who is basically a rookie are closing in on the end of their first full seasons, and both could use a strong finish. One had a huge game, another homered this weekend, and one looks like he’s starting to wear down.
There’s also at least a chance the roster gets healthier over the next couple of weeks, though that kind of optimism has already been tested.
At the same time, the late innings are finally getting handed to pitchers with real stuff who might matter again in 2027. That’s something, at least.
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The timing matters because the rest of the organization is being measured against that same timeline. Bobby Witt Jr. is back from injury, Jac Caglianone is drawing attention with his power, and the front office is still getting judged on whether the spending and management approach can actually support the rebuild. Meanwhile, the farm system gives the Royals a few names to watch in Zion Rose, Angeibel Gomez, and Jacob Berry, but the bigger question is whether all of that adds up quickly enough to make 2027 feel like a real target rather than just another deadline. [Read more 🡒]