The Kansas City Royals have been one of the most aggressive teams in the AL Central this offseason, attacking their roster needs with a clear sense of urgency. After a frustrating 2025 campaign that saw them fall short of the postseason just one year removed from a surprising ALDS run, the Royals appear determined to prove that last season was more of a stumble than a sign of regression.
There’s no question Kansas City has the pieces to contend in 2026. The young core is intact, the front office has already made key additions, and there’s a palpable sense that this team is aiming to return to October.
But the road back won’t be smooth. The AL Central is shaping up to be a battleground, and the Royals will have to fight their way through it.
Let’s start with the obvious contenders: the Cleveland Guardians, who are coming off a division title, and the Detroit Tigers, led by a healthy and dominant Tarik Skubal. Both clubs are expected to be right in the mix again, and neither is likely to give up ground easily.
Then there’s the Minnesota Twins - no longer the juggernaut they once were, but still dangerous. With names like Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis in the lineup, and a rotation that could still feature Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez (assuming they’re not dealt), Minnesota has the tools to play spoiler on any given night.
That leaves the Chicago White Sox - a team that, on paper, looked like the one true soft spot in the division. Kansas City dominated them in 2025, going 10-3 in the season series.
But don’t let last year’s record fool you. The White Sox have made some noise this week, and it could complicate things for the Royals more than expected.
Chicago made a splash on Sunday by signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal. Then, just two days later, they added left-handed reliever Sean Newcomb - a move that might not grab headlines, but could have subtle implications in the AL Central race.
Let’s start with Murakami. The Royals were never really in the market for him - and frankly, they didn’t need to be.
With Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino holding down the corners, Kansas City is already in good shape. But Murakami’s arrival in Chicago changes the complexion of that White Sox lineup.
This was already a group with promising young talent like Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth - all of whom showed flashes last season. Adding a proven power bat like Murakami only deepens the order and adds a new dimension.
Now, there’s always a bit of an adjustment when top NPB hitters make the leap to MLB. Pitching is sharper, the schedule is longer, and the learning curve is real.
But Murakami’s track record speaks for itself. He cranked 22 homers in just 56 games this past season and has four 30+ HR seasons under his belt in Japan.
That kind of pop doesn’t just disappear. If he finds his rhythm early, he could be a real problem for opposing pitchers - including those in Kansas City.
Then there’s Sean Newcomb. On the surface, he’s not a blockbuster signing.
But for a Royals team that’s still fine-tuning its bullpen, he’s exactly the kind of arm that could’ve made a difference. Kansas City already added Matt Strahm to shore up the late-inning lefty role, but depth matters - especially over a 162-game grind.
Before that trade, the only lefty options in the pen were Daniel Lynch IV and Bailey Falter, both of whom come with question marks.
Newcomb, meanwhile, is coming off a quietly effective season. He posted a 2.73 ERA and held lefties to a .226/.308/.321 slash line - solid numbers that suggest he’s more than just a situational guy.
His background as a starter also gives him the ability to chew up innings if needed, something every bullpen can use over the course of a long season. He would’ve fit nicely in Kansas City’s relief corps, and now he’s on a division rival’s roster instead.
Does this shift the balance of power in the AL Central? Not dramatically.
The Royals still look like the better team on paper, and they’ve made enough moves to stay ahead of the curve. But the White Sox might not be the easy wins they were last year.
With Murakami in the middle of the order and Newcomb bolstering the bullpen, Chicago is at least moving in the right direction - and in a division where every game counts, even a slight improvement can make a difference.
The Royals’ path to the top of the Central - a place they haven’t been since their magical 2015 season - just got a little more complicated. Not insurmountable.
But trickier. And in a division race that’s shaping up to be tight, those little wrinkles can matter.