The Kansas City Royals are making some notable moves behind the scenes this offseason, and while the free-agent headlines might be dominated by bigger markets, there's plenty happening in the heartland that deserves attention-from coaching hires to player development strategies and even a few quiet-but-intriguing roster tweaks.
Royals Add Abraham Núñez and Nic Jackson to Hitting Development Team
The Royals have officially brought in Abraham Núñez and Nic Jackson as hitting coordinators, taking over for Drew Saylor. For a club that’s placing a premium on player development, this move speaks volumes. Núñez and Jackson aren’t just colleagues-they’re collaborators who’ve already built strong chemistry working together in the instructional league last fall.
“We’re always bouncing ideas off each other,” Núñez said. “Our communication is really good, and we complement each other.” That kind of synergy is exactly what you want in a developmental system.
Núñez brings a wealth of playing experience and has a strong track record of connecting with young talent, especially international signees. Jackson, meanwhile, has earned the nickname “The Doctor” for his deep understanding of biomechanics. Together, they form a duo that blends modern analytical insight with old-school baseball instincts-a combination that could pay dividends as the Royals look to develop their next wave of hitters.
Hall of Fame News: Beltrán and Jones Get the Call
Former Royals star Carlos Beltrán and defensive wizard Andruw Jones were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. For Kansas City fans, Beltrán’s induction is a proud moment.
The 1999 AL Rookie of the Year started his career in a Royals uniform and went on to hit 435 home runs and steal 312 bases across a 20-year career. He was a postseason monster too, slashing .307/.412/.609 in 65 playoff games.
Jones, meanwhile, was a generational defender in center field. With 10 Gold Gloves and 434 career home runs, he’s now in elite company-joining names like Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., and Mike Schmidt as the only players to pair 10 Gold Gloves with 400+ homers. That’s rarefied air.
Royals’ Offseason: Understated or Underwhelming?
Depending on who you ask, the Royals’ offseason has either been quietly strategic or frustratingly conservative. Moving in the outfield fences might be their most headline-worthy move, and while they’ve added outfielder Lane Thomas and reliever Matt Strahm, the front office hasn’t made a big splash.
Some analysts see this as a continuation of last year’s cautious approach, which avoided overcommitting to players with question marks. And in hindsight, that patience may have paid off-Anthony Santander struggled through injuries in Toronto, Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games, and the Royals reportedly balked at a deal that would’ve sent top prospect Carter Jensen to the Angels for Taylor Ward, who’s now nearing free agency.
So while the Royals didn’t swing big, they may have dodged a few bullets-and that’s a kind of win in itself.
Michael Lombardi: A Prospect to Watch
One name to keep an eye on in the Royals’ system is Michael Lombardi. Drafted out of Tulane, Lombardi is a two-way athlete who played center field and pitched in college. Kansas City plans to develop him as a right-handed starter, and scouting director Brian Bridges is all-in on the upside.
“You’re dealing with an athlete who’s highly competitive,” Bridges said. “A two-way player who wants to concentrate on pitching, with limited mileage on his arm. He’s athletic with feel to pitch.”
In a system that’s increasingly leaning into versatility and projection, Lombardi fits the mold. If his development stays on track, he could be a fast riser.
Around the League: Salary Cap Tensions Brewing
Kyle Tucker’s free-agent deal with the Dodgers has reportedly sparked serious frustration among MLB owners, with some now pushing hard for a salary cap. The proposal would include both a ceiling and a floor, though the latter could be a sticking point for smaller-market teams that benefit under the current system.
Still, the value of every franchise would likely rise with a cap in place. But the real challenge won’t be internal politics-it’ll be the players. Historically, the union has shown it’s willing to dig in and miss games to avoid a cap system.
“We just completed one of the greatest seasons in MLB history, with unprecedented fan interest and revenues,” union head Tony Clark said. “It is gratifying to see players at all levels being rewarded for their incredible accomplishments by those clubs that are trying to win without excuses.”
Quick Hits
- Paulo Orlando’s Royals days got a nostalgic nod from Matt Crossland, reminding fans of the speed and spark he brought to the 2015 World Series team.
- Mitch Maier and Brooks Conrad spoke at the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ Hot Stove Luncheon, a reminder that baseball’s heartbeat is strong at every level of the Royals’ system.
- Former Royals pitcher Anthony Veneziano signed with the SSG Landers in Korea.
- The Miami Marlins acquired pitcher Bradley Blalock from the Rockies.
- The Athletics reportedly had a deal in place for Nolan Arenado before the Diamondbacks closed the deal with St. Louis.
- The Phillies are expected to part ways with Nick Castellanos-it’s more a matter of when than if.
- Dave Dombrowski called Bo Bichette’s move to the Mets “a gut punch,” while Cliff Floyd noted the Mets paid a steep price to land Freddy Peralta from Milwaukee.
- MLB Pipeline released its Top 10 Third Base Prospects, and CBS Sports dropped a list of players who could have hit free agency this winter.
- Tarik Skubal is expected to start the season in Detroit, but he’s already being floated as a top trade candidate.
- The Buffalo Bills made a surprising coaching change after years of playoff contention-raising eyebrows across the NFL.
- Duke filed a lawsuit to block quarterback Darian Mensah from transferring-an unusual twist in the ever-evolving college football landscape.
- The Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium deal with Hillsborough College cleared a key hurdle with board approval. The team now turns to local outreach and funding efforts.
The Royals may not be dominating the offseason headlines, but they’re quietly laying the groundwork for something more sustainable. With new voices in player development, a few smart bets on upside, and a continued focus on building from within, Kansas City is staying true to its long-term blueprint. Whether that turns into wins in 2026 remains to be seen-but the foundation is being built, one move at a time.