Introduction

In this mock offseason for the Royals, I will have a few assumptions that were made. JJ Piccolo mentioned some more flexibility with the salary this offseason but there are some questions about how much money that means. I am going to assume that that means about 25 million more in flexibility. This season the Royals payroll was around 110 million, so I expect to see them around 135 next season. Obviously, there are no guarantees, but I will be going under the assumption that this is the available salary for them this offseason. I will assume everyone is healthy going into the season as there haven’t been many updates on injury statuses. I also will not be mocking any trades as it’s near impossible to know what will happen with trades.

This is my prediction for the Royals offseason and what their 40-man roster will look like next season

Starting Pitching

Major League Rotation

Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brady Singer, Michael Wacha, Alec Marsh

Other 40-man members

Chandler Champlain, Noah Cameron, Jonathan Bowlan

Notable moves

Royals add Champlain and Cameron to the 40-man as SP depth

Wacha re-signs

Explanation

I have had a lot of discussion about Michael Wacha and his future in Kansas City past this year and for this simulation, he’s back. Wacha has said he wants to stay in Kansas City with his family and gets the contract he’s looking for in Kansas City. Michael Wacha is the biggest domino this offseason and when the Royals figure out his situation, the offseason trajectory will become much more clear.

Ragans and Lugo are 1/2 locks in the rotation and trade talks about Singer don’t seem to have any merit. Marsh is back as the 5th starter after a solid season last year and has a full offseason to polish his stuff. I think we likely see these 4 guys back in the rotation regardless of what happens next season. Bowlan has a bit of major league experience as well so he can provide good depth.

The Royals claim the contracts of Chandler Champlain and Noah Cameron to protect them from the rule 5 draft and hopefully give some depth to the Royals starting pitching. There is a potential lack of confidence in Alec Marsh and he could be moved to the pen after being optioned for Michael Lorenzen and not getting any playoff time. So if he struggles or there is an injury, I think the Royals have more comfort in the depth at this position, with more guys to come up next year.

Bullpen

Major league pen

Lucas Erceg RHP, Hunter Harvey RHP, John Schreiber RHP, Kyle Wright RHP, Daniel Lynch LHP, Kris Bubic LHP, Angel Zerpa LHP, Sam Long LHP

Other 40-man members

James McArthur RHP, Josh Taylor LHP, Carlos Hernandez RHP, Steven Cruz RHP, Luinder Avila RHP, Eric Cerantola RHP

Notable moves

Buyout the contract of Stratton for 500k

Selected the contracts of Avila and Cerantola

Explanation

The bullpen situation is interesting and one that I will continue to consider this offseason. In 2024 the Royals bullpen saw a lot of inconsistency and moving parts and was one of the biggest struggles throughout the year. But when it mattered most, in September and October, it seemed like they got it figured out. In the playoffs they looked great and with most of the guys on returning deals, they will hope to bring back the guys who were key to that success.

Now I admit it really is hard for me to see the Royals doing nothing to the major league bullpen in the offseason, but I also struggle to see who you let go. Erceg is a lock, and the trades for Harvey and Schreiber likely mean they are back. Lynch was dominant down the line but didn’t play in the playoff. If Wright is healthy, you have to imagine he’s in, and Bubic, Long, and Zerpa were all high-quality lefties, especially in October.

In the minors there is depth as well, with McArthur being left off and Taylor getting healthy. They also bring right side power with Cruz and Hernandez who have big fastballs but haven’t put it all together yet. Avila and Cernatola get selected to keep them away from the rule 5 draft. Both have great stuff but some command issues and as they improve could find a role with the team as the 2025 season goes on.

Lastly injuries could play a role, with Taylor and Wright missing all of 2024 as well as Harvey and McArthur being shut down late in the year. If these players miss significant time, Stratton could return, or they could look at a veteran like Paul Sewald or Kirby Yates. I haven’t seen any major updates so I am not 100% sure where these guys are at in terms of recovery, but they could start on the IL. A lot to think about here but I think a lot of returning members for next season with how good they were late in the year last year and I will assume all are healthy.

INF

Major league players

 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, 2B Michael Massey, SS Bobby Witt Jr, UTIL Maikel Garcia, C/1B Salvador Perez, C Freddy Fermin, UTIL Brandon Drury, Ha-Seong Kim UTIL (Likely will be on IL to start)

Other 40-man members

UTIL Nick Loftin, 1B Nick Pratto, Devin Mann INF

Notable moves

Buyout the contract of Adam Frazier for 2.5 million after he opts in to mutual option

Select the contract of Devin Mann

Sign Ha-Seong Kim for 4 year 30 million dollars (Spotrac says 4 years 28 million)

Sign Brandon Drury for 1 year 3 million (Spotrac says 1 year 1.3)

Explanation

The infield is a real strength for the Royals so they will return all their stars with Vinnie, Bobby and Salvy all returning to hit 2-3-4 again in 2025. They made two additions over the offseason, the biggest of which is adding Ha-Seong Kim to be the leadoff hitter they have been desperately looking for. Kim will play 2nd, 3rd and will maybe even DH some. Kim is a plus defender which we know the Royals value and he also gets on base, doesn’t strike out, walks a lot and is able to move on the bases with his speed and ability to steal bases, something the Royals will love.

They also add another utility guy in Brandon Drury who is coming off a very down year with the Angels. Drury can play all 4 infield spots as well as LF and RF, Quataro will like the super utility factor of his game. He is a quality fielder at all those spots and also could bring some power in the middle of the order if his bat bounces back. Buy a low option for the royals with low risk.

The addition of these two guys gives flexibility for Quataro. Kim can play 2nd or 3rd every day and he has an elite glove so there will be no harm to the team. With rumors of Maikel Garcia learning some OF spots, Kim would fit right in and allow Garcia to play 2nd, 3rd and RF next year, while also hitting later in the order. The utility also is helpful if Garcia/Massey/Drury get hot, there will be a spot for them to play in the lineup while keeping Kims glove and leadoff stuff in the lineup.

Loftin and Pratto stay on the 40 man and will likely find time in the case of an injury especially with the utility. The Royals selected the contract of Mann, to provide some defensive depth in the organization and to protect him from Rule 5 just in case.

OF

Major league players

CF Kyle Isbel, LF MJ Melendez, RF Hunter Renfroe, LF/RF Michael Conforto, PR/OF Dairon Blanco

Other 40 man members

RF/LF Tyler Gentry, LF/RF Nelson Velazquez, OF Drew Waters, OF John Rave

Notable moves

Royals claim the contract of John Rave

Sign Michael Conforto for 2 year 14 million with a mutual option in year two (spotrac projects 1 year 4.7)

Explanation

Outfield is the main concern of most Royals fans, and they may feel that my additions aren’t enough but hear me out. The key addition here is Michael Conforto to bat in the middle of the order and add some consistency. Some may feel that Conforto isn’t enough, but I think he can bring a lot to this team. Conforto has consistently had above a .700 OPS over every year of his career. We know what he brings to the table and what he can do for the team. He is not an elite fielder by any stretch of the imagination, but he is serviceable in the field and will be able to play out there and he brings a big arm similar to Renfroe.

Over his career he has been better against RHP and with his addition Quataro gets a lot of flexibility. Rather than going after an everyday RF, they get a guy who can contribute but go with more of a rotation in the OF. Conforto also adds insurance, there is hope MJ Melendez can make some major improvements with the bat, but if this doesn’t happen, Conforto can play both sides and hit both sides as needed. But with this addition I would expect to see Quataro mix and match some, with Melendez and Conforto against RHP and Renfroe in the lineup against lefties.

With the other guys, Isbel is your everyday CF and will bat at the bottom of the order while also providing elite defense. Blanco sticks around as a pinch runner and defensive sub who can play all three spots, but mostly will come in late to run the bases. It also should be mentioned that if Garcia learns OF and they sign Drury, they will have a slew of options to play the corner OF spots. Blanco becomes your CF if Isbel gets hurt, but Waters can be added to the roster if needed for extended periods as well as Rave. Rave is selected after a solid season with Omaha and stays safe from the rule 5 draft.

Final results

Healthy 26-man roster

Pitchers (13)

Ragans, Lugo, Singer, Pivetta, Marsh

Erceg, Harvey, Schreiber, Wright, Lynch, Bubuc, Zerpa, Long

Batters (13)

 Pasquantino, Massey, Witt Jr, Garcia, Perez, Fermin, Drury, Isbel, Melendez, Renfroe, Conforto, Blanco, Kim

• Batting order vs RHP

1. Ha-Seong Kim 3B
2. Bobby Witt Jr SS
3. Vinnie Pasquantino 1B
4. Salvador Perez C
5. Michael Conforto RF
6. MJ Melendez LF
7. Anyone else DH/give someone a day off
8. Michael Massey 2B
9. Kyle Isbel CF

• Batting order vs LHP
• Ha-Seong Kim 2B
• Bobby Witt Jr SS
• Vinnie Pasquantino 1B
• Salvador Perez DH
• Hunter Renfroe RF
• Freddy Fermin C
• Michael Conforto LF
• Maikel Garcia 3B
• Kyle Isbel CF

Summary

The Royals signed 4 free agents in Nick Pivetta, Ha-Seong Kim, Brandon Drury and Michael Conforto. They add the help they have been looking for offensively which is most of the focus this offseason. They get utility replacement while also adding some consistency with the bats to shore up the middle of the order. They also address the leadoff spot which had been the focus of struggles last season. They keep almost all of the pieces that helped the team succeed last season while adding some support in the line up while not really sacrificing anything defensively. They also select the contracts of John Rave and Devin Mann to fill out the roster and protect him from rule 5.

On the pitching side they lose Wacha to a contract they can’t afford to pay but replace him with Pivetta on a longer cheaper contract. They also return the other 4 starters and the bullpen members who were so successful in the offseason. They select contracts of 4 minor league guys that have shown results and potential to have major league stuff to protect them from the rule 5 draft and give them a chance on the roster as needed.

They only spend about 120 million with this roster, only increasing payroll by 10 million which leaves them with an opportunity to extend Ragans or Pasquantino. They also are able to bring back most of the contributors from last season while also bringing in some help at key spots. The goal this offseason is to find some consistency and they add that with several hitters, and potential improvement with Pivetta in the rotation.