The Royals don’t have much time to sit back and weigh their options. With a potential lockout looming in less than three weeks, Kansas City has to move quickly if it wants to get ahead of the White Sox on the offseason market.
Pitching is the obvious battleground. Both clubs need help, and both are chasing the same kind of arms: starters who can steady a rotation and relievers who can handle the late innings. That makes this a race, and the Royals can’t afford to be the team that waits too long.
One name that fits Kansas City’s needs is Clay Holmes. He’s expected to draw plenty of attention on the open market, with projections pointing to a three-year deal in the $40 to 60 million range.
That kind of price tag should be manageable for both the Royals and the White Sox. Holmes, 33, could be tempted by a playoff push, but Kansas City has a pitch of its own: elite infield defense behind him.
His 60% groundball rate was the highest among pitchers with over 100 innings this season, and an infield packed with Gold Glove finalists and former winners could make the Royals especially appealing. The catch is simple - they can’t drag their feet.
Bryan Abreu is another arm that could disappear fast. The Royals and White Sox both enter the winter needing help at the back end of the bullpen, and Kansas City’s late-inning issues were obvious.
The Royals had the 27th-worst reliever ERA in the 8th and 9th innings this season, while Chicago lost several key bullpen pieces to free agency. Abreu stands out as one of the best relievers available who did not receive the qualifying offer, and his market should be strong.
His projected contract length varies, but every estimate has him earning an AAV of at least $10 million. With his age and playoff track record, he’s exactly the kind of reliever who could get snapped up quickly.
Sean Newcombe is the third name on the list, and this one comes with a familiar twist. He was with the White Sox last season and gave them strong work in the bullpen in multiple roles.
A multi-year deal seems likely for him this offseason. Kansas City could use that versatility, since Newcombe can handle high-leverage work, multi-inning relief and even a spot start.
But Chicago would like him back too, which means the Royals would need to move fast if they want to pry him away before the White Sox do.
In Other News...
Royals Make Another Bullpen Bet Fans Have Seen Before
The Royals have added another arm to the mix, signing reliever Hobie Harris to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. It is the kind of move Kansas City has made before, a low-risk bet on a pitcher with a long minor league track record and a brief major league look with the Washington Nationals, aimed at giving the club more options as it sorts through its pitching depth.
For a team coming off a difficult 2026 season, the bullpen remains an obvious area to reinforce, and Harris fits the profile of a depth addition who can compete for a role without forcing the issue. Whether he becomes more than organizational insurance will be decided in camp, but the Royals are clearly continuing to stockpile experienced relief help as they try to stabilize the late innings. [Read more 🡒]
Bobby Witt Jr And Salvador Perez Define The Royals Right Now
Bobby Witt Jr., Michael Wacha and Salvador Perez were the names the Royals expected to see honored when the Kansas City Chapter of the BBWAA handed out the clubs 2026 team awards. Witt was recognized as the Les Milgram Player of the Year, Wacha took home Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year honors and Perez earned the Joe Burke Special Achievement Award, a familiar trio for a team that has leaned heavily on its established core all season.
The awards also underscored how much the Royals still revolve around those three players, with the article laying out their season numbers and the historical context behind each honor. Witts rise, Wachas steady work on the mound and Perezs enduring place in franchise history all fit the same theme, even if the latest chapter leaves room for the bigger question of how far this group can carry Kansas City next. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Fans Just Got An Early Look At Kauffman In 2027
The Royals are already giving fans a first glimpse of what the 2027 season will look like at Kauffman Stadium, with the club releasing start times for its regular-season home schedule. It all begins March 25 against the Minnesota Twins, and the opener is set for 3:10 p.m., making it the earliest Opening Day in franchise history.
Beyond that first pitch, the schedule is built with the usual mix of afternoon and evening games, giving Kauffman the kind of rhythm fans have come to expect over a long summer. All listed times are in Central Time and still subject to change, but for supporters looking ahead, the club has at least put the calendar on the board. [Read more 🡒]