The Kansas City Royals are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the front office knows it. After a season that showed flashes of promise-especially on the mound-the focus now shifts to fortifying the roster, particularly in the outfield and behind the plate.
With trade rumors swirling and free agency heating up, Kansas City is being linked to a mix of intriguing names, from glove-first center fielders to superstar-caliber bats. Let’s break down some of the most talked-about targets and what they could mean for the Royals’ 2026 outlook.
Brenton Doyle: A Glove-First Option with Upside
One name that’s surfaced in trade chatter is Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle. Now, Doyle didn’t quite replicate his breakout 2024 campaign-where he slashed .260/.317/.446 and posted a strong 3.6 fWAR-but his defensive value remains elite. In 2025, his bat cooled off significantly (.233 average, .651 OPS, 0.4 fWAR), yet his glove in center field is still among the best in the game.
The question for the Royals is whether Doyle offers enough of an upgrade over what they already have. Kyle Isbel, a Gold Glove finalist, brings similar defensive chops, and while Doyle has more pop, he also struck out at a much higher rate (25.7% vs.
Isbel’s 18.1% in 2025). If Kansas City is going to make a move here, they’ll need to be confident there’s more untapped offensive potential in Doyle’s bat.
Otherwise, it’s a lateral move-one that doesn’t address their need for more consistent offense.
Still, with the Rockies under new leadership in Paul DePodesta, Doyle could be one of the more valuable trade chips available. And for a Royals team looking to build around pitching and defense, he’s at least worth a long look.
The Cole Ragans Trade Buzz: A High-Stakes Gamble?
Speaking of pitching, Cole Ragans remains the centerpiece of the Royals’ rotation-and of just about every trade rumor involving Kansas City. There’s a growing belief that if the Royals want to make a splash, Ragans is their ticket. But that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Ragans was an All-Star in 2024 and is still under team control, making him one of the most valuable assets in the organization. Some analysts have gone as far as to say the Royals can’t win a World Series without him healthy and at his best. That may be a bit extreme-anything can happen in a short series-but it underscores how vital he is to their current identity.
So, if Kansas City is going to move him, it better be for a game-changer.
Fernando Tatis Jr. in Royal Blue?
That brings us to the most eye-popping rumor of the bunch: a potential one-for-one swap of Cole Ragans for Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr.
Yes, you read that right.
Tatis may be more available than you’d expect. The Padres are dealing with a bloated payroll, thanks to long-term deals for Tatis, Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts.
And while Tatis is still a force-posting a 6.1 fWAR and an .807 OPS in 2025-his numbers did dip slightly from 2024 (.833 OPS). San Diego, thin in the rotation behind Nick Pivetta and reeling from Dylan Cease’s departure to Toronto, could use a front-line starter like Ragans.
From a value standpoint, the trade checks out. Tatis has a slightly higher surplus value than Ragans, according to BTV’s model.
But the long-term money owed to Tatis adds a layer of complexity. For the Royals, it would be a bold move-a franchise-altering swing for one of the most naturally talented players in the game.
The upside is massive, but so is the risk.
Heliot Ramos as a Trade Target?
Another name floated in connection with Ragans is Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos. Both players were All-Stars in 2024 and have multiple years of team control left, making a straight-up swap at least plausible on paper. But if you’re the Royals, you probably want more than just Ramos in return.
Ramos has shown flashes, but he hasn’t quite established himself as a consistent offensive threat. Including another young piece-like Luis Matos or Marco Luciano-could sweeten the deal enough to get Kansas City to bite. Still, it’s hard to imagine this being the move that defines the offseason.
Royals Among Top Potential Spenders?
Don’t look now, but the Royals are being mentioned as one of the more aggressive teams this winter. According to league chatter, Kansas City could be ready to make a significant financial commitment to support its young core.
One anonymous insider even picked the Royals as the team most likely to spend big on a single player. That kind of noise doesn’t come out of nowhere. And with Bobby Witt Jr. emerging as a true superstar, the front office may feel the pressure-and the opportunity-to build a contender around him now.
Could that mean a splashy trade? A major free-agent signing?
Or both? The expectation is that Kansas City won’t sit idle.
Other Notes Around the Club
- Nicky Lopez has joined the Rockies on a minor-league deal, marking a reunion of sorts with a familiar face in Colorado.
- Vinnie Pasquantino has been spotted working out with Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals, a player whose name has surfaced in trade rumors. Could be nothing-or it could be a sign of mutual interest between the clubs.
- Carter Lundberg is evaluating the Royals’ catching situation for 2026, an area that remains unsettled heading into the offseason.
- Philip Ruo offered a breakdown of Kansas City’s current rotation depth, which will be critical whether Ragans stays or goes.
Around the League
- The Blue Jays added another arm to their rotation, signing former KBO MVP Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million deal.
- The Angels took a flier on Alek Manoah, bringing him in on a one-year contract.
- MLB officially broke ground on a new headquarters for MLB Network, set to open in 2028.
The Royals are at a crossroads. With a budding ace in Cole Ragans, a franchise cornerstone in Bobby Witt Jr., and a front office that seems ready to spend, this could be the offseason that sets the tone for the next era of Kansas City baseball.
The question is: Will they play it safe, or go all-in?