The Kansas City Royals have made it clear this winter: they’re serious about taking the next step. After back-to-back winning seasons, the front office has been aggressive in reshaping the roster, signaling a shift from rebuilding to contending. But with any influx of new talent comes the inevitable ripple effect - and that means some familiar faces from last year’s squad are now staring down uncertain roles heading into 2026.
That’s not a knock on those players. In fact, several of them played key roles in 2025.
But as the Royals raise their ceiling, the floor gets higher too. Depth becomes a luxury, and competition for roster spots intensifies.
Let’s take a closer look at three Royals who were contributors last season but now find themselves facing ambiguous - and likely reduced - roles in 2026.
Michael Massey - Second Baseman / Corner Outfielder
Massey’s 2025 season was a tale of two halves. Before his IL stint, the lefty struggled to get anything going at the plate, finishing the year with a 57 wRC+.
That kind of production simply doesn’t hold up on a team trying to win now. But after returning from injury, Massey turned heads with a scorching second half: a .375 average, .896 OPS, and a 151 wRC+ that reminded everyone of the upside he brings when he’s locked in.
Still, the Royals didn’t hesitate to bring in some competition. They locked up Jonathan India ahead of the non-tender deadline, committing $8 million to a player who figures to get the bulk of the reps at second base. And while the rumored pursuit of Brendan Donovan didn’t materialize, the message was clear - the Royals are looking to upgrade.
Even Massey’s fallback option, left field, has gotten crowded. The arrivals of Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins give Kansas City more right-handed options in the outfield, further squeezing Massey’s path to regular playing time.
Barring a surprise move or injury, Massey looks like he’ll be on the roster - but probably in a bench role. He can still provide value as a lefty bat with some positional flexibility, but unless he forces the issue again, his days as a regular starter might be on hold.
Stephen Kolek - Right-Handed Starting Pitcher
Pitching depth has been one of the Royals’ biggest stories this offseason - and not in the usual “we need more arms” kind of way. This time, they’ve got an abundance of it. And for Stephen Kolek, that might be both a blessing and a curse.
Kolek was rock-solid in limited action after being acquired at the deadline. In five starts, he posted a 1.91 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 0.76 WHIP, and held opponents to a .161 batting average.
That’s the kind of performance that usually earns a longer look. But in Kansas City’s suddenly crowded rotation picture, Kolek finds himself in a tough spot.
Even if the Royals move on from someone like Kris Bubic - which has been floated - the next man up is likely Ryan Bergert, the younger arm who came over in the same deal as Kolek. Bergert, along with fellow lefty Noah Cameron, seem to be ahead in the pecking order.
Kolek’s not out of the picture by any means. He’s got prior bullpen experience and still has minor league options remaining, which gives the Royals flexibility. But unless something changes between now and Opening Day, he’s probably ticketed for either a swingman role in the bullpen or a return trip to Triple-A Omaha.
John Schreiber - Right-Handed Relief Pitcher
Schreiber’s 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. He was a regular presence in the late innings early on, but a rough second half - capped by an ERA in the high-4.00s - left the coaching staff looking for more stability in high-leverage spots.
Enter Matt Strahm, a veteran lefty who the Royals acquired this winter and who figures to factor heavily into the late-inning mix. With Strahm in the fold and other young arms pushing for innings, Schreiber’s role is shifting - not necessarily out of the bullpen, but certainly out of the spotlight.
He’s likely to land in middle relief, but that can mean a lot of different things. Will he be the bridge guy in the sixth?
A matchup-based option to get out of a jam? The innings-eater when the starter gets shelled early?
Those questions remain unanswered, and Schreiber’s usage could fluctuate depending on how the rest of the bullpen shakes out.
What’s clear is that he’s no longer a lock for high-leverage work. That doesn’t mean he can’t earn his way back into those moments, but he’ll have to prove it all over again this spring.
Bottom Line
This is what growth looks like for a team on the rise. The Royals are no longer handing out roles based on potential or past production - they’re building a roster where every spot is earned.
For Massey, Kolek, and Schreiber, that means the path forward is a little murkier than it was a year ago. But in baseball, roles can change in a heartbeat.
Injuries, slumps, and hot streaks can flip the script quickly.
For now, these three find themselves in the margins. But if 2025 taught us anything, it’s that depth matters - and the Royals are betting that having too many capable players is a good problem to have.