The Royals’ return to prominence could be a short-lived one. Expectations have risen in Kansas City since the club’s first playoff appearance in the 2015 World Series season. Making the playoffs was a gigantic accomplishment for the team in 2024; however, an inactive off-season from the front office not only prevents the Royals from getting over the hump, but may also even push them backward. Here’s the good, the bad, and what late moves might be made still for the Royals 2025 offseason so far.
The Good
The Royals’ off-season hasn’t been all bad, there are multiple moves they’ve made I feel will help the team in 2025. One of those moves is the trade to acquire Infielder Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Brady Singer. Getting a young bat on a cheap contract was a move the Royals could realistically only pull off via trade, and I think they nailed it. Brady Singer had a career year in 2024, and it is hard to move on from a starter that the team developed so well, however, it needed to happen.
Brady Singer was either going to continue to progress and play himself out of the Royals’ price range or regress to his prior seasons and lose all trade value. The Royals’ pitching staff is already deep enough, they needed help in the lineup and India brings that.
On the pitching side of things, the Royals have yet to acquire anyone on the market, however, they were able to bring back Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen in hopes of keeping the staff towards the top of the MLB.
The Bad
Unfortunately, the Royals have left a lot to be desired this off-season. One of, if not the biggest disappointments has been the Royals’ inability to upgrade their outfield. Coming off a season in which no Royals’ outfielder posted an OBP above .300, it felt imperative that the Royals would bring in some new bats. Instead, it appears as if the Royals are planning on sticking with the trio of MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel, and Hunter Renfroe again in 2025.
Another group the organization has failed to address is the bullpen. For much of last season, the Royals’ bullpen was a major liability. The acquisition of Lucas Erceg from the Athletics at the trade deadline proved to be a season-changing one, completely transforming the Royals’ bullpen into a formidable group. While the group saw improvements towards the end of the season, the position is far from a sure thing heading into the season and the lack of moves makes it an even bigger question mark.
The Royals can’t spend as much as they did last offseason before every season, the nature of being a small market team doesn’t allow for it. With that being said I do think the club not going out and being more aggressive to this point has been disappointing for a team that was knocking on the door of an AL Pennant just three months ago.
Remaining Options
While many big names are off the market the Royals still have options in free agency if they want to make any last-minute additions before the team heads off to Arizona for Spring Training. Below is a list of notable free agents that could fit both team needs and team spending for the Royals.
- Jurickson Profar (OF)
- J.D. Martinez (DH/OF)
- Mark Canha (OF)
- Kirby Yates (RP)
- Jakob Junis (RP)
- A.J. Minter (RP)
These may not be the big splashes that the Mets and Dodgers have been making this offseason, but they are affordable pieces that could come in and help the Royals immediately. If the Royals decide to roll the dice with the current outfield and bullpen, they’d be playing a losing hand hoping they don’t need anything better than one pair to get back into the postseason. Could the current cast step up and improve? The Royals’ front office better hope so if they are truly done making moves.