The Royals wrapped up last season with 82 wins, falling just five games short of a playoff berth. It was a close call, and the culprit was clear: outfield offensive production. Royals outfielders collectively posted a .225/.285/.348 slash line, resulting in a 73 wRC+-the lowest in the majors.
The offseason strategy was straightforward: bolster the outfield with some bats. J.J.
Picollo made a savvy move by trading for Isaac Collins from the Brewers. Collins, known for his on-base prowess, hit .263/.368/.411 in his rookie year.
The Royals also inked Lane Thomas to a one-year deal, banking on a rebound to his 2023 form when he blasted 28 homers. Additionally, Kameron Misner, a local talent with promising minor league stats, joined the ranks despite a .203 average over 79 MLB games.
Plus, they made the bold move of bringing in the fences.
And that was the extent of their moves.
Rumors swirled around potential trades for players like Jarren Duran and Teoscar Hernández, and there was interest in free agents such as Harrison Bader and Austin Hays. Yet, despite a market brimming with options, the Royals held back.
Consider some of the deals that went down: Mike Yastrzemski signed with the Braves for two years at $23 million, Bader joined the Giants on a two-year, $20.5 million contract, and Adolis Garcia took a one-year, $10 million deal with the Phillies. There were plenty of affordable options that could have fit the Royals' budget.
Trade activity was also bustling. The Orioles snagged Taylor Ward, the Athletics picked up Jeff McNeil, and the Mets acquired Luis Robert Jr. The Royals, with a surplus of pitching-a hot commodity-didn't find a deal that suited them.
It's understandable to exercise caution. The Royals avoided last year's free-agent outfield class, many of whom underperformed in 2025. Better to be prudent than to make a hasty decision that burdens future payrolls or leads to regret.
However, there's a fine line between caution and inaction. The Royals' outfielders were out-hit by nearly every other qualified hitter last season. Surprisingly, they haven't even brought in a veteran outfielder on a minor league deal to compete for a spot-a low-cost gamble that sometimes pays off.
There's still hope for a spring training trade. Injuries could drive teams to seek pitching depth, potentially opening doors for the Royals to acquire an outfielder. Alternatively, they might be banking on internal development, relying on young talents like Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen to step up.
While it's wise not to panic and to maintain payroll flexibility, the margins matter when you're vying for a playoff spot. The Royals narrowly missed the postseason last year. Could an additional bat have made the difference?
The Royals boast potential Hall of Famers in Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, along with All-Star caliber hitters like Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino. Their starting rotation is among the league's best, complemented by a trio of shutdown relievers in Matt Strahm, Lucas Erceg, and Carlos Estévez.
In the words of Dodgers executive Andrew Friedman, “If you’re always rational about every free agent, you’re going to finish third on every free agent.” The Royals' cautious approach is understandable, but the clock is ticking, and the stakes are high.