Angels Snag Adam Frazier, Closing Door on Potential Royals Reunion
For a while, it felt like the Kansas City Royals were circling the same story: close calls, missed chances, and a string of free agents slipping through their fingers. But if there was one name that seemed tailor-made for a 2026 reunion, it was Adam Frazier.
Frazier, the veteran utility man with a knack for fitting in wherever he goes, had already worn Royals blue in 2024. After that season, he returned to his roots with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
But Kansas City wasn’t quite ready to move on. At last year’s trade deadline, GM J.J.
Picollo made the call and brought Frazier back into the fold. It wasn’t a headline-grabbing move, but it was a smart one-built on familiarity, clubhouse chemistry, and solid, steady play.
And that’s what made the idea of bringing him back again in 2026 feel like a no-brainer. Frazier was well-liked in the clubhouse-a glue guy, the type every team needs over the course of a long season.
His return last year wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. In 56 games and 197 plate appearances, he hit .283 with a .722 OPS, drove in 23 runs, and kept his strikeouts in check with an 18.3% K-rate.
His 98 wRC+ might not light up a stat sheet, but for a bench utility role, it’s exactly the kind of production teams look for.
Add in his versatility-capable of handling second base and both corner outfield spots-and he checked a lot of boxes for a Royals team heading into spring training with questions at those very positions.
But this week, the Los Angeles Angels stepped in and closed the door on a possible reunion. Frazier signed a minor league deal with the Halos, complete with an invite to spring training. It’s not a guaranteed roster spot, but it is a fresh opportunity-and one that could pay off for both sides.
For the Angels, Frazier brings experience, flexibility, and a veteran presence to a roster that already has a crowded second base picture. Whether he breaks camp with the big-league club remains to be seen, but he’ll be in the mix, and his track record gives him a legitimate shot.
For the Royals, it’s a missed opportunity-especially considering they’ve shown a willingness to circle back on players they’ve previously let walk. Frazier himself was proof of that just last season.
But with him off the board, Kansas City’s utility depth will likely lean on the trio of Michael Massey, Tyler Tolbert, and Nick Loftin. There’s potential in that group, but it’s far from settled.
As spring training looms, the Royals say they feel good about their depth. Still, losing out on a steady, proven option like Frazier-who already fit seamlessly into their clubhouse and lineup-feels like a move that could quietly linger as the season unfolds.