Royals Roundup: Beltrán’s Hall of Fame Cap Choice, Pasquantino’s Incentives, and a Familiar Face Finds a New Home
As spring training inches closer and the baseball calendar starts heating up, there’s plenty to keep Kansas City Royals fans engaged-beyond just the usual pre-season buzz. From Hall of Fame headlines to contract details and a familiar name landing a new gig, here’s what Royals faithful need to know this week.
Carlos Beltrán Picks Mets Cap for Hall of Fame Plaque
Carlos Beltrán is officially Cooperstown-bound, and now we know which cap he’ll be wearing on his Hall of Fame plaque: the New York Mets.
It’s a decision that doesn’t come as much of a surprise, even if there’s a case to be made for Kansas City. After all, Beltrán’s big-league journey began in a Royals uniform, where he played parts of seven seasons and captured the 1999 American League Rookie of the Year award. But while his career started in Kansas City, it truly blossomed elsewhere.
The numbers with the Mets speak volumes: 3640 plate appearances, a .280/.369/.500 slash line, 149 home runs, 559 RBIs, five All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers. It’s a résumé that cemented his legacy in Queens, and one that made this cap decision feel almost inevitable.
Still, for Royals fans, there’s pride in knowing that one of the franchise’s most electrifying talents will be enshrined in Cooperstown. Beltrán may not be going in wearing a Royals cap, but his time in Kansas City remains a foundational chapter in his Hall of Fame story.
Pasquantino’s Contract Details Reveal Big Incentive Potential
Vinnie Pasquantino avoided arbitration this offseason by signing a two-year, $11.1 million deal with the Royals-a move that brought stability and some well-deserved security. But now, we’re getting a clearer look at just how much that deal could be worth if things go right.
According to reports, Pasquantino can earn up to $15.7 million thanks to a series of performance-based incentives built into the contract. Specifically, he’ll receive an additional $200,000 for each of three plate appearance milestones in 2027: 450, 500, and 550.
These incentives are likely tied to the slugger’s recent injury history. In 2023, he was limited to just 61 games due to injury.
Then in 2024, he missed all of September with a hand issue. But when healthy, Pasquantino has shown he can be a force in the middle of the lineup.
In fact, he cleared the highest plate appearance threshold in back-to-back seasons, including a monster 2025 campaign where he logged 682 trips to the plate.
Translation: if Pasquantino stays on the field, he’s not just going to hit those incentives-he’s going to blow past them.
Carlos Santana Signs One-Year Deal with Diamondbacks
An old friend is getting another shot.
Veteran first baseman Carlos Santana has signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving the switch-hitter a chance to extend his big-league career after a tough 2025 season.
Splitting time between the Guardians and Cubs last year, Santana struggled to find his rhythm, hitting just .219 with a .308 on-base percentage and an 82 wRC+ across 124 games. But before that, he’d strung together three consecutive seasons of above-average production, showing there’s still value in his bat-and certainly in his veteran presence.
Royals fans will remember his 2021 stint in Kansas City. While the numbers didn’t jump off the page (.214/.319/.342), he still managed 19 home runs and 69 RBIs-solid production from a veteran bat in a transitional year for the team.
Now with Arizona, Santana gets another chance to contribute, likely in a leadership role with a young, up-and-coming roster. And while his time in Kansas City was brief, he remains one of those players who left a subtle yet steady mark during his stay.
Final Thoughts
While the Royals are focused on building toward the future, this week’s news offered a reminder of both where the franchise has been and where it’s headed. From Beltrán’s Hall of Fame nod to Pasquantino’s promising trajectory and Santana’s continued grind, Kansas City’s baseball story is filled with familiar faces and new hope. And with spring training just around the corner, the next chapter is about to begin.