The Kansas City Royals have quietly built a surplus of starting pitching - a luxury in today’s game - and now, there’s buzz around the idea that they might actually consider dealing from that strength. Specifically, there’s talk that Kansas City could entertain offers for their ace, Cole Ragans, in exchange for a significant return that addresses their outfield needs. That’s not just a bold move - it’s potentially franchise-altering.
While the initial reports linked Ragans to a high-profile swap involving Boston’s Jarren Duran, another intriguing proposal has emerged from the Winter Meetings rumor mill - this one involving the New York Mets. And while it might not bring back an immediate All-Star to patrol the outfield at Kauffman Stadium, it could offer the Royals a more balanced return: young, controllable talent that helps both now and down the line.
The Proposed Deal: Ragans to the Mets, Prospects to the Royals
In this hypothetical trade, the Royals would send Cole Ragans to Queens and receive a prospect-heavy package in return: outfielder Carson Benge, right-handed pitcher Jonah Tong, slugging 1B/OF Ryan Clifford, and infielder Ronny Mauricio. That’s three Top 10 prospects from the Mets' system, all under the age of 22, plus a former top prospect with big-league experience.
Let’s break down why this deal could make sense for Kansas City - and why it might be just enticing enough to get GM J.J. Picollo to pick up the phone.
Carson Benge: The Headliner
If this deal has a centerpiece, it’s Carson Benge. Ranked as the Mets’ No. 4 prospect and a Top 50 name on MLB Pipeline’s board, Benge is a dynamic outfielder with a well-rounded game and a real shot at reaching the majors soon.
He tore through High-A and Double-A in 2025, slashing .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and a strong 150 wRC+. His plate discipline jumps off the page - a 13.1% walk rate with a manageable 17.7% strikeout rate - and he’s shown the ability to handle all three outfield spots defensively.
Benge did hit a bit of a wall after a late-season promotion to Triple-A, managing just a 53 wRC+ in 24 games, but that’s more of a speed bump than a red flag. At just 22, he’s still developing, and the tools are all there: power, speed, plate approach, and positional versatility. For a Royals system that’s been thin in the outfield pipeline, Benge would be a breath of fresh air.
Jonah Tong: High Ceiling on the Mound
Next up is Jonah Tong, a right-hander with big stuff and the potential to eventually fill the void Ragans would leave behind. His initial taste of the big leagues wasn’t pretty - a 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and .308 opponent batting average in five starts - but the underlying numbers tell a more encouraging story.
Tong still managed a 25.3% strikeout rate and posted a 4.31 FIP and 4.97 xERA, suggesting he was better than his traditional stats indicate. His fastball grades out at 70 and touches 95 mph, while his changeup is a legit out pitch with a 60 grade.
And then there’s his Triple-A line, which is nothing short of dominant: a 1.43 ERA, 1.68 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, and a ridiculous 14.17 K/9 across 22 starts. That’s the kind of production that makes you believe the big-league struggles were more about nerves and adjustment than talent. For Kansas City, Tong represents a high-upside arm who could be a frontline piece with the right development.
Ryan Clifford: Power Bat with Upside
Ryan Clifford brings a different kind of intrigue. A lefty slugger who’s split time between first base and the corner outfield, Clifford has been a consistent power threat in the minors. He’s hit 20+ homers in each of the last three seasons, including a career-best 29 bombs in 2025.
His 2025 slash line - .237/.356/.470 - shows a hitter with a patient approach (14.7% walk rate), solid power, and a 137 wRC+ across 139 games in Double- and Triple-A. He’s not a pure contact hitter, but he gets on base and drives the ball with authority. And while he’s not a perfect fit for a right-handed outfield bat, the Royals could use his thump in the lineup - whether that’s in left field, right field, or as a DH/1B option.
Ronny Mauricio: A Change of Scenery Candidate
Mauricio is the wild card here. Once a top Mets prospect, he’s had a rocky start to his MLB career, posting an 84 wRC+ over 87 games in parts of two seasons. But he’s still just 24, and his minor league track record - plus a scorching-hot 251 wRC+ stint in Triple-A this year - suggests there’s untapped potential.
He missed all of 2024 due to injury, which may have stalled his development, but he’s shown flashes of being an impact bat. More importantly, he brings defensive versatility, particularly at second base, where the Royals could use some depth. Sometimes, a move away from the bright lights of New York is exactly what a young player needs to reset and thrive - and Kansas City could be just that place for Mauricio.
Would the Royals Actually Pull the Trigger?
Trading Cole Ragans is no small thing. He’s been nothing short of an ace - a lefty with electric stuff, team control, and the kind of presence you build a rotation around.
GM J.J. Picollo has already made it clear: it would take a “really big return” to even consider moving him.
This proposed deal might just qualify.
Four young, controllable players - including three Top 10 prospects and a former top prospect with big-league experience - is the kind of package that could reshape the Royals’ future. It’s not just about filling holes on the current roster; it’s about injecting high-upside talent into a system that needs it.
Would it hurt to lose Ragans? Absolutely. But if Kansas City believes in their pitching depth and sees this as a chance to add impact bats and build toward sustained success, this kind of move could be the start of something bigger.
Winter Meetings always bring the heat when it comes to rumors and hypotheticals. This one? It’s got enough intrigue - and enough potential - to keep Royals fans watching closely.