All offseason, there have been rumors that the Royals are interested in adding a bat in the middle of the order. Now with the addition of Carlos Estevez, the Royals may feel they have the flexibility to move on from some pitchers in exchange for a bat. There have been rumors of guys like Angel Zerpa, Alec Marsh and Kris Bubic potentially being available for trade, as well as guys like Chris Statton who are under contract and could help match salaries for more expensive players. If the Royals do make a trade, it is likely they are looking for an OF/3B/Utility player who can bring some power in the 5 or 6 holes behind the great first 4 hitters in the Royals lineup for 2025.

A couple of options from the Angels

Taylor Ward

OF/3B Angels

(.246/.323.426)

Control through 2026

Ward has been mentioned as a potential trade target for the Royals since the trade deadline in 2024 and it makes a lot of sense why they would be interested. The obvious reason would be for the sake of positional need. Ward plays all the spots that the Royals are looking for with an ability to play corner OF and 3B. He is a quality defender with a high OBP who can hit just about anywhere in the order.

Now the only thing that makes this questionable is that the Angles are a confusing team. I don’t know what their goal is, but we have seen them go out and pick up free agents a few times this offseason. Hard to imagine that they would give up Ward if they feel like they want to contend this season. With that being said, if Ward is available, I think the Royals should give the Angles a call and feel out his price.

Luis Rengifo

UTIL Angels

(.300/.347.417)

Control through 2025

Ward has been the primary name mentioned as a trade target for the Royals, but I am still hopeful about the possibility of Luis Rengifo being available as the offseason continues. Rengifo is a quality switch hitter who can play just about every position defensively who I think could fill the middle of the order spot while also allowing Matt Quatraro to switch up the lineup day to day. Rengifo can play every position the Royals need as he has experience at both corner OF spots and can fill in at 3rd as needed.

The other thing I would like about a trade for Rengifo is I dont think it would be horribly expensive, as he only has one year of club control and is unlikely to sign an extension in LA. With his cheap contract there would be minimal salary concerns and the Royals could likely get away with offering a bullpen arm and a prospect if the Angels were interested in moving him. In my eyes, Rengifo makes a ton of sense and is almost the perfect fit in Kansas City, the question is… will he be available for trade.

Maybe someone from the Cubs?

Seiya Suzuki

OF Cubs

(.238/.366/.482)

Control through 2027

Suzuki is not a name that has come up much on the trade market, but I think is someone that the Cubs would be willing to part with after the addion of Kyle Tucker. He has a 19-million-dollar contract going into 2025 which is expensive for the Royals but is money the Cubs may look to get off the books as they have expressed that they want to move off salary.

Suzuki is an ideal fit in Kansas City as he brings power, fielding and speed on the bases as he is a real 5 tool player. He had 21 HRs last year, walks a lot and doesn’t chase much, but he also strikes out a bit too much. But he will barrel the ball hard at the plate and has good range and an arm in the outfield.

He mostly stays in RF but is likely capable of playing left if needed as well and rumors suggest he doesn’t want to be limited to DH in Chicago. Suzuki is only 30 years old and should still have several good years ahead of him. The Royals may be able to move Stratton as a salary dump as well as other valuable pitchers to get a deal done and I think there is a realistic chance the Royals would be able to make a move for him if the Cubs are willing to part ways.

Ian Happ

OF Cubs

(.243/.341/.441)

Control through 2026

Similar to Suzuki, Happ is a name that has not come up a ton, but could make sense after the Cubs went out and added Kyle Tucker from the Astros. Happ is making 21 million in 2025 which is well out of the Royals price range, but if the Cubs are looking to save money, Happ could be an option. The Royals also could alleviate some of this by adding Chris Stratton or Hunter Renfroe in the deal to limit some of the damage done by his contract.

If the Royals were able to make the move to acquire Happ, he would also be 30 years old in 2025 and has displayed a skillset that the Royals like. He is a quality left fielder with speed to take bags as he had 13 stolen bases in 2024. He walks a lot and works his way on base which also is something the Royals staff has been pushing for. He feels like a great fit in Kansas City and is one of my top options for the Royals to go out and get if the Cubs have him available for trade.

Some guys I am hopeful for but may be significantly less likely.

Brendan Donovan

OF/3B Cardinals

(.278/.342/.417)

Control through 2027

Similar to the previously mentioned Ward, the first thing that catches my eye about Donavon is the fit purely from a positional standpoint. He plays 3B and outfield which fits exactly what Kansas City is looking for position wise. He has good range and a solid but not great arm. At the plate he gets on base at a solid rate and rarely strikes out which is what the Royals say they want in the middle of the order.

Batting from the left side of the plate Donovan has been impressive in his first 3 major league seasons and has shown true consistency at the plate. His good OBP and potential power makes him a great fit in the 5 spot behind Salvador Perez. He has years of control which may make him more expensive than we think but I think if the Royals are able to work out a deal, Donovan could be a great fit in Kansas City.

Jake McCarthy

OF Diamondbacks

(.285/.349/.400)

Control through 2028

There have been rumors coming out that the Diamondbacks are looking to trade one of their outfielders and McCarthy could be the odd man out. I have been pounding the table for the Royals to go out and get McCarthy as he has been my guy for some time now. It is clear that all the boxes are checked by McCarthy, he has top tier speed and a quality glove in the OF, has high OBP numbers and puts the ball in play and rarely strikes out. To me this makes him the ideal fit for the Royals both defensively and with the bat and he can hit just about anywhere you need.

McCarthy may not bring the power that people want as he only has hit single digit home runs. But he has the ability to hit to the gaps, speed to extend his extra bases and has stolen over 20 bags in the last 3 years. He feels like a player the Royals would love through and through, he is not on the trade block because of production, but because of how crowded the OF room is in Arizona. He is more of a slap hitter who can hit to both fields and makes consistent contact. He has years of control, but I don’t think the price for him would be out of the Royals range and would be a valuable pick up for years to come.

Other mentions

Ryan McMahon, Nolan Jones, Mike Yastremski, Alec Bohm