Matt Strahm Brings Firepower to Kansas City Bullpen, While Royals Bet Big on Caglianone’s Upside
The Royals made a move this offseason that could quietly reshape their bullpen - acquiring lefty reliever Matt Strahm, who immediately vaults to the top of their relief corps. Whether you see Carlos Estévez as the closer or not, Strahm is at worst the 1B to Estévez’s 1A. And frankly, he might be the best arm in that pen.
Kansas City has some solid middle-inning options - Lucas Erceg and John Schreiber can get outs, and Nick Mears, brought in via trade, is an intriguing arm with upside. There’s also Daniel Lynch IV, who’s transitioning to a bullpen role and could reinvent himself in shorter stints. But none of those arms bring the combination of experience, effectiveness, and upside that Strahm does.
What makes Strahm so appealing in Kansas City? For starters, his fly ball-heavy approach should play even better at Kauffman Stadium, a notoriously tough place to hit home runs.
He’s leaving a ballpark in Philadelphia where fly balls have a tendency to turn into souvenirs and heading to a far more forgiving environment for pitchers. That’s a win for both Strahm and the Royals.
The only real knock? Strahm’s under contract through 2026, and then he hits free agency.
That’s not ideal for a team still building toward sustained contention. But for Kansas City, adding a high-leverage lefty with swing-and-miss stuff - even for one season - is a meaningful upgrade.
When your bullpen is in need of stability, one year of quality is better than none at all.
Caglianone and Jensen: The Royals’ Youth Movement Carries Real Risk and Real Reward
While the bullpen is getting a veteran boost, the Royals’ lineup could be shaped by a pair of young bats: Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen. Both are viewed as potential impact players, but there's no sugarcoating the risk - they’re young, and the learning curve at the big league level is steep.
Caglianone’s debut in Kansas City last season was a rough ride. After dominating in the minors, he struggled mightily following his June call-up.
In 62 games, he slashed just .157/.237/.295, with a hamstring injury costing him about a month of action. The Royals threw a lot at him - multiple levels in one season, a position change to right field, and the pressure of adjusting to MLB pitching.
It was a trial by fire.
Still, there’s belief in the building that Caglianone will figure it out. Royals GM J.J.
Picollo acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the long-term view. “He’s a huge part of our team, our future,” Picollo said.
“He’s got to get those at-bats somehow. He’s got to play.”
Translation: The Royals know he needs reps. They’re just trying to manage the growing pains without overexposing him.
If he adjusts quickly, he could be a middle-of-the-order threat. If not, they’ll need to protect both player and team by easing the pressure and supplementing the offense elsewhere.
Steamer Sees a Bounce-Back Coming for Caglianone
The projection systems are a little more optimistic. According to Steamer, Caglianone is expected to post a .331 wOBA and a 109 wRC+ - both significant jumps from his rookie season.
He’s also projected to hit 17 home runs, and that number could climb if he gets regular at-bats. His projected ISO (.195) is a 57-point increase from last year, suggesting that his raw power is ready to show up in games.
Defensively, there are still question marks. Steamer has him at -6.6 Def in the outfield, which is… not ideal. But if he’s slugging 20+ homers and driving in runs, the Royals can live with some defensive shortcomings - especially if the rest of the outfield can pick up the slack.
The key will be opportunity. Caglianone’s projected plate appearances are on the low side, which means his ceiling could be even higher if he earns a full-time role. His exit velocity and barrel rates from last season hint at a bat that’s capable of doing serious damage once it clicks.
Around the Diamond and Around the League
While the Royals are banking on young talent and bullpen upgrades, the rest of the league continues to shuffle the deck:
- The Chiefs are set to leave the Truman Sports Complex for a new domed stadium in Kansas - and the Royals had a message for their longtime neighbors as they prepare for the move.
- The A’s added second baseman Jeff McNeil in a trade with the Mets, giving them a steady veteran presence in the infield.
- Seattle signed outfielder Rob Refsnyder to a one-year, $6.25 million deal, adding a versatile right-handed bat to their mix.
- The Phillies added bullpen depth by signing Zach Pop to a big league deal.
- The Cardinals picked up pitcher Jared Schuster on a minor league deal, a low-risk move that could pay off if he finds his footing.
Elsewhere, Jorge Polanco is set to play first base for the Mets, and teams continue to circle free agent Alex Bregman. Meanwhile, the baseball world is keeping an eye on which teams have made the biggest strides in developing their farm systems - a key factor in long-term success.
And in a fun twist off the field, a previously unknown T206 Honus Wagner card is set to hit the auction block - a reminder that baseball’s history is still full of surprises.
Final Thoughts
The Royals are walking a tightrope heading into 2026 - trying to compete while still developing their young core. Strahm gives them a proven arm in the bullpen.
Caglianone and Jensen represent the future at the plate. If those pieces come together, Kansas City could be one of the more intriguing teams to watch next season.
The margin for error is thin, but the upside? It’s real.