In a recent article by the Athletic, an MLB insider discussed the Royals’ offseason plans and mentioned that they have a lot of interest in getting a bat for the middle of the order. Previously I was deadlocked on the idea that the Royals were looking into free agency, but this report says the Royals are more interested in a trade. The news changed the way I view the future of the Royals off-season and opened the window for a lot of new targets.
Who are the most likely options?
A look at likely trade targets for the Royals in their search for lineup additions
Taylor Ward
OF/3B Angels (.246/.323/.426)
Controllable 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. 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.
Alec Bohm
3B Phillies (.280/.332/.448)
Under contract through 2026
There have been rumors floating around about Alec Bohm trades and the Royals’ potential involvement. Bohm has almost exclusively played third and first base in his career which would mean they would have to move Garcia around in the field. But at the plate, Bohm provides what they are looking for in the middle of the order.
Bohm has an elite frame standing at 6’5 and is a quality defender with great range at the hot corner. He doesn’t have the best arm but is more than good enough to be an everyday third baseman. At the plate, Bohm does not strike out and puts the ball in play which is exactly what the Royals are looking for.
The Phillies’ price tag for Bohm is sky-high and is something I don’t think the Royals will be able to match. It will cost some good players if Kansas City wants to make the trade and Philadelphia will likely have to lower their price. I think there is a good chance Bohm will be a Royal in 2024 if the Phillies are willing to come down on the trade price.
What about some lower-price guys I am a fan of?
Brendan Donovan
OF/3B Cardinals (.278/.342/.417)
Controllable 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 make him a great fit in the five 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)
Controllable 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 the gaps, speed to extend his extra bases, and has stolen over 20 bags in the last three 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 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 pickup for years to come.
Seiya Suzuki
OF Cubs (.238/.366/.482)
Controllable 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. He has a 19 million dollar contract going into 2025 which is affordable 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 right field but is likely capable of playing left if needed as well. Suzuki is only 30 years old and should still have several good years ahead of him. I think there is a realistic chance the Royals would be able to make a move for him, and if they did he would be a great fit in the lineup.
Nolan Arenado
3B Cardinals (.272/.345/.394)
Under contract through 2027
We have listed a lot of outfielders for the Royals, but what if they decide to make a move elsewhere on the field? With rumors that Maikel Garcia is willing to learn new positions this offseason, it is possible he is willing to move to the outfield and become a utility man for the Royals in 2025. This gives Kansas City an opening at 3B and they go out and fill the need by picking up an 8-time all-star in Nolan Arenado.
Arenado has been one of the best 3B in the game for many years now and is a proven player at the plate and in the field. He is now 33 years old and may be on the decline but is still a high-quality player on the hot corner and could be beneficial to the Royals. Arenado never strikes out with one of the lowest rates in the league, and while his power numbers have been down recently, he got on base at a high rate and was still a great defender at 3rd.
Nolan Arenado has finished in the top 8 for MVP voting six times and is a proven veteran MLB player. He has the potential to pop at the plate which he has flashed before and I think he is still more than capable of doing. Now the problem with Arenado is the contract, he is slated to make $32 million in 2025 which I don’t think KC wants to pay. I think the Cardinals would have to eat some of his salary and that would raise the price, which makes this trade unlikely.
Cody Bellinger
OF Cubs (.266/.325/.426)
Under contract through 2025, player option in 2026
One of the worst-kept secrets in baseball has been that the Cubs are shopping Cody Bellinger to anyone who is willing to call. Bellinger was the 2019 MVP and is only 29 and has good years ahead of him, despite coming off of a down season. The Cubs signed Bellinger in the 2024 offseason but have made it clear they want to trade him and lower their payroll some in 2025.
His current salary heading into 2025 is 27.5 million which is a little more than I think Kansas City is looking to spend so the Cubs may have to eat some of his contract to get a deal done. This also means that the trade may be more expensive for the Royals than fans may hope it will be. Bellinger is a great fit with the Royals as he has good power and stole 20 bases last year while also playing good defense at RF/CF/1B.
If the Royals did trade for Bellinger, he would be the perfect fit in the middle of the order and his versatility in the outfield and at first base would provide good depth at key positions. The biggest issue with a potential Bellinger trade is the price, both in trade and in salary. I have yet to hear any rumors that the Royals are in on Bellinger but there has been a lot of talk about him with fans, but I don’t think a trade is likely for him.
Other honorable mentions: Luis Rengifo, Ryan McMahon, Nolan Jones, Mike Yastremski, Adolis Garcia