The Kansas City Royals have had an active offseason, but if you were hoping for a big splash in the outfield, that wave might’ve already crested. According to recent reports, the Royals are increasingly unlikely to land either of the two hitters they were chasing via trade: Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals and Jarren Duran from the Red Sox.
So where does that leave them? As it stands, the Royals are preparing to lean on a mix of new faces and familiar names to round out their outfield. That means offseason pickups Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas could see significant time, alongside rookie slugger Jac Caglianone and returning glove-first center fielder Kyle Isbel.
Now, that might not sound like the most electrifying group on paper, but here’s the thing about the MLB offseason: it’s a living, breathing chess match. One team’s signing can shift the entire landscape. And that’s exactly what’s been happening.
Take the Red Sox. When they signed Ranger Suárez, it signaled a shift in their pitching priorities.
That move more or less shut the door on any deal involving Cole Ragans or Kris Bubic heading to Boston. And with that, the Royals’ chances of prying Jarren Duran loose took a serious hit.
This domino effect isn’t unique to Kansas City. Look at what happened with Bo Bichette.
After Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker inked deals, the Mets-suddenly out of top-tier options-moved quickly and signed Bichette to a short-term deal. That’s the kind of reactive decision-making that defines this time of year.
And yes, it had ripple effects for the Royals too. Some fans were quietly hoping Bichette’s market would cool off enough for Kansas City to swoop in.
That ship has sailed.
But here’s where things get interesting again. The Mets now find themselves with a crowded infield, and that could lead to Brett Baty or Mark Vientos becoming available.
Either one would be an intriguing fit in Kansas City-especially Baty, who brings left-handed pop and upside. If the Mets are serious about contending and need rotation help, that opens the door for a potential Kris Bubic-for-Baty swap.
It’s not a perfect one-for-one, and the Royals would likely need to sweeten the deal, but it’s a scenario worth watching.
And don’t forget about Framber Valdez. Once he signs, teams that miss out on him-and already missed on Suárez-may circle back on Bubic.
That could re-ignite trade talks that seemed dead just days ago. Whether it’s a straight-up deal or something more complex, Bubic remains one of Kansas City’s most valuable trade chips.
Beyond that, there are a few other moves that could still be on the table for the Royals as we inch closer to Spring Training:
Kris Bubic for Brett Baty
There’s real logic to this one.
The Mets may be trying to shoehorn Baty into left field, but with top prospect Carson Benge nearly ready and potential interest in Cody Bellinger, the fit feels forced. If the Royals can package Bubic with another piece or two-without touching their top-tier prospects-they might be able to swing a deal for Baty.
It’s a gamble, but one that could pay off in a big way for a team that needs long-term offensive upside.
Bailey Falter gets moved
Falter’s not going to headline any blockbuster deals, but he’s a serviceable back-end starter with a manageable $3.6 million salary.
Once injuries start cropping up in Spring Training-and they always do-teams will be looking for rotation depth. The Royals could flip Falter for a mid-tier prospect and clear a bit of payroll in the process.
It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of move that helps build organizational depth.
Adam Frazier returns (eventually)
It’s a little surprising Frazier hasn’t already re-upped with Kansas City.
But the likely holdup is playing time. He’s probably waiting to see if another team offers a better role or more money as rosters take shape in Spring.
If nothing materializes, he could circle back to the Royals on a modest deal. He’s a known quantity, and his versatility makes him a nice insurance policy at second base or in the corner outfield.
John Schreiber trade watch
Schreiber’s in a bit of limbo.
He’s a solid reliever, but not the type teams rush to acquire in January. That said, come mid-Spring, someone will inevitably need bullpen help, and the Royals will be ready to listen.
They gave up David Sandlin to get Schreiber-a low-level arm with some upside-and could look for a similar return. It’s not about landing a star, but rather plugging holes in the upper minors where the Royals are thin.
And that’s a key point here: Kansas City’s farm system has talent, but it’s heavily weighted toward the lower levels. There’s a real lack of MLB-ready or near-ready players-especially in the infield and outfield.
That’s why these smaller deals matter. Trading Schreiber or Falter might not move the needle today, but they could bring in players who help fill that upper-level void.
The Royals aren’t done yet. The big swings might be off the table for now, but the chessboard is still shifting. And in a league where one signing can change everything, Kansas City just needs to stay patient, stay active, and be ready to pounce when the next opportunity presents itself.