The Kansas City Royals have been busy this offseason-but not in the headline-grabbing, blockbuster kind of way. Instead, their moves have been more subtle, more strategic, and, frankly, more budget-conscious. For a team trying to claw its way back into postseason relevance, the question looms: is that enough?
Let’s be real-the Royals were never expected to be major players in this winter’s top-tier free agent sweepstakes. Historically, they’ve shied away from high average annual value (AAV) contracts, and that trend has held true again this offseason. But in a league where the Dodgers are throwing around Monopoly money and the Yankees are flexing their financial muscle, Kansas City’s more measured approach raises an important question: how do small-market teams like the Royals bridge the gap?
The trade market, often a lifeline for smaller payroll clubs, hasn’t offered much relief either. The Royals reportedly had their sights set on a couple of ideal trade targets, only to be priced out. That’s the harsh reality of today’s MLB landscape-talent costs, and it costs early.
Now, Royals fans don’t need a reminder of what can happen when the stars align. The 2015 squad didn’t win a World Series by outspending the league; they did it with homegrown talent, savvy trades, and timely performances.
But that was then. The game-and the economics around it-have evolved.
The 2024 and 2025 Dodgers showed what happens when you combine elite talent with deep pockets: dominance.
So what’s the path forward for Kansas City? No one’s asking them to morph into the Dodgers overnight. But if the Royals want to bring in a true difference-maker, they may need to start thinking differently about how they structure contracts.
Enter Cody Bellinger’s new deal with the Yankees.
On paper, it’s a five-year, $162.5 million contract-an eye-popping number for a franchise like the Royals, whose biggest free agent signing remains Alex Gordon’s four-year, $72 million deal from 2016. But there’s more beneath the surface.
Bellinger’s deal includes opt-outs after the second and third years, giving both the player and the team flexibility. That structure could be exactly the kind of creative compromise a team like the Royals needs to consider.
Yes, $32.5 million per year is a steep price tag. But if you look at it as a short-term investment-say, two strong seasons from an All-Star-caliber player-it becomes more manageable. It’s a way for a mid-market team to make a splash without diving into long-term financial commitments that could hamstring them down the road.
And let’s not forget: John Sherman may not be Steve Cohen or part of the Guggenheim group, but he’s still a billionaire. The Royals aren’t broke-they just need to be smart about how they spend.
Of course, there’s risk involved. If a player underperforms and decides to opt into the remainder of a lucrative deal, the team could be stuck.
Royals fans still remember the sting of deals that didn’t pan out (cough Hunter Renfroe cough). But that’s the nature of the game.
Every big swing comes with the chance of a miss.
The Royals took their swings in 2015, just not with free agents. That title run was fueled by the draft, trades, and internal development.
But the landscape has shifted. Unless Major League Baseball introduces a salary cap post-2026-a big “if”-teams like Kansas City will need to find new ways to compete in the open market.
And it’s not like this idea is without precedent. The Tampa Bay Rays, another small-market team known for their financial discipline, reportedly made a serious run at Freddie Freeman with a six-year, $150 million offer not too long ago. It didn’t land, but it sent a message: even fiscally cautious teams can go big when the moment feels right.
Looking at the Royals’ current core-Bobby Witt Jr., Cole Ragans, Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino-there’s a solid foundation in place. That’s not a bad group to build around. Add one or two legitimate stars to that mix, and suddenly the outlook changes.
It might be time for the Royals to get a little uncomfortable. Not reckless.
Not desperate. But bold.
The kind of bold that says, “We’re ready to compete now.” Because if they don’t start adapting to the realities of modern free agency, they risk falling further behind in a league that’s moving faster than ever.
The blueprint is out there. The question is whether Kansas City is ready to follow it.