The Royals Are on the Hunt for Offense - and They’ve Got the Arms to Make It Happen
The Kansas City Royals know exactly what they need this offseason: more offense. After a disappointing dip in run production in 2025 - 84 fewer runs than the year prior - the front office is heading into the Winter Meetings in Orlando with one clear objective: find bats that can help this team get back to October.
And they’re not showing up empty-handed. The Royals have a surplus of starting pitching and a farm system stocked with young, controllable talent.
That’s a pretty good place to be when you’re trying to swing a deal. But the challenge, as always, is finding the right trade - one that upgrades the offense without mortgaging the future or thinning out the rotation too much.
Offense Is the Priority - and the Royals Have Targets in Mind
Let’s start with the obvious: Kansas City’s offense simply didn’t get the job done last season. The team struggled mightily with runners in scoring position, a problem that undercut their aggressive base-running and situational hitting approach.
The result? A step backward from their 2024 postseason campaign.
To address that, the Royals shook up the coaching staff, bringing in Marcus Thames and Connor Dawson to join Alec Zumwalt as part of a retooled hitting coach trio. The goal? Keep the Royals’ identity - aggressive, contact-first baseball - but inject some versatility and pop into the lineup.
One name that’s come up early and often is Jarren Duran. The Red Sox outfielder is coming off a strong season, hitting .256 with 16 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases across 157 games.
He fits the Royals’ mold: speed, versatility, and some punch from the left side. He’d be a natural fit in left field, potentially slotting in alongside Kyle Isbel and Jac Caglianone.
There are other outfield options in free agency too - think Harrison Bader, Mike Yastrzemski, or Austin Hays - but Duran’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him especially intriguing.
Then there’s Brendan Donovan, the Cardinals’ Swiss Army knife. Donovan just wrapped up his first All-Star season and brings rare flexibility as a left-handed hitter who can play both infield and outfield.
With St. Louis seemingly heading into a rebuild under new president of baseball ops Chaim Bloom - they’ve already moved Sonny Gray - Donovan could be on the move.
He’s under club control for three more years and would give the Royals the kind of utility weapon they used last year in Adam Frazier.
Even with Jonathan India and Michael Massey expected to hold down second base, Donovan’s bat and glove could find plenty of ways to make an impact.
Who’s on the Block? The Royals Have Pitching to Deal
If the Royals are going to land a bat like Duran or Donovan, it’s probably going to cost them an arm - and they’ve got a few to work with.
The projected 2026 rotation is already deep: Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, and Noah Cameron lead the way. Behind them, there’s even more depth, including Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, Bailey Falter, and Lunider Avila - all of whom have seen big-league innings. Add in top prospects Ben Kudrna and Steven Zobac, both recently added to the 40-man roster, and it’s clear the Royals are dealing from a position of strength.
Kris Bubic is one of the more likely names to move. He’s coming off his first All-Star season and had some early Cy Young buzz before a shoulder issue ended his year. He’s under contract through 2026, and his value is high - which makes him both a trade chip and a risk to move.
Noah Cameron is another name drawing attention. The lefty finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and posted a 2.99 ERA over 24 starts. That kind of production, combined with years of team control, means the Royals won’t move him unless the return is significant.
And then there’s Cole Ragans. The Royals’ ace battled through a rotator cuff strain but came back strong in September, racking up 22 strikeouts in just 13 innings.
Like Cameron, Ragans is under control for three more seasons. If he’s included in a deal, it’s because the Royals are getting a major piece back.
The front office has to walk a fine line here. Move the wrong pitcher, and you risk weakening one of the team’s biggest strengths. But hold too tightly to the arms, and you might miss out on the kind of offensive upgrade that could change the trajectory of the season.
Could Free Agency Deliver a Surprise?
While trade talks are front and center, don’t rule out a surprise move in free agency. Just last offseason, the Royals signed Carlos Estévez in February - and he ended up leading the majors in saves while anchoring a revamped bullpen.
This winter, they’ve already made a savvy bullpen addition in Alex Lange. But with Sam Long and Hunter Harvey both hitting free agency, there’s room - and need - for another arm or two in the relief corps. The market’s already moving, with Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley, and Devin Williams all off the board, and more deals are expected as the Winter Meetings heat up.
On the position player side, a reunion with Adam Frazier or Mike Yastrzemski could make sense, especially if the Royals are looking for a platoon option or veteran bench depth. A right-handed fourth outfielder could also be on the shopping list.
For now, it looks like the Royals are leaning toward the trade market to address their biggest needs. But if the right deal presents itself - as it did with Estévez last year - don’t be surprised if Kansas City pounces.
What’s Next?
The Royals are in an interesting spot: they’ve got assets to deal, a clear need to address, and a front office ready to act. Whether it’s a trade for Duran or Donovan, a surprise free-agent signing, or a calculated move involving one of their young arms, the next few weeks will go a long way in shaping what kind of team Kansas City puts on the field in 2026.
One thing’s for sure - this is a team that knows what it wants. Now it’s about making the right moves to get there.