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      Kevin O'Brien

      On Thursday morning, the Kansas City Royals unveiled their new City Connect jerseys to the public via social media.

      On March 31st, a picture of the possible City Connect jerseys leaked, though no confirmation was provided by the Royals, Nike, or Major League Baseball. With the City Connect jersey officially released on Thursday, it appeared the leak was indeed a preview of what the Royals' updated City Connect would look like for the next three seasons (City Connect jerseys have a three-year cycle).

      The new Royals City Connect shares a lot in common with the Royals' old City Connect jersey. The color scheme is obviously different, with blue, purple, and white instead of navy blue, light blue, and white. However, the new City Connect jerseys will still be utilizing the "Fountain" font that made the old City Connect jerseys so popular with Royals fans. However, instead of "KC", the new City Connect style will emphasize the old "R" logo. 

      Here's a picture of the old City Connect jersey worn by Vinnie Pasquantino during an April 14th, 2023, game against the Braves.

      Denny Medley-Imagn Images

      Per Kindle Biermann, manager of business and community communications, in addition to wearing them every Friday evening game, the Royals will also have multiple promotions and giveaways throughout the year that will utilize the new City Connect style and color pattern. 

      The Royals begin their four-game homestand against the Chicago White Sox tonight and will unveil their new jerseys, hats, and City Connect gear during Friday night's home game. 

      Brock Beauchamp

      We're looking for contributors to write Royals content over the offseason!

      First, feel free to reach out via email at brock.beauchamp@royalskeep.com or reply to this article.

      Writing Articles
      If you’ve ever wanted an audience for your Royals takes, this is the perfect place. While we generally lean into analytics and analysis, we also take a “come as you are” approach to baseball and give writers a lot of leeway to write about the game in a way that interests them. That could manifest in historical pieces, previews, or regular series. It’s a matter of finding your niche in the fandom and carving out a space for it. 

      Making Videos
      We're also looking for videographers! Most of our content is on the shorter side (3-7 minutes), though we have space for plenty of different formats and ideas. Like the writing side of the site, we usually lean into analytics, but it's not the only path we're open to exploring.

      It is also noteworthy that we pay our content creators. It’s certainly not enough to quit your day job. So don’t do that. However, it might be enough to show that we value your time, talent, and effort.

      If you know someone who might be interested in creating Royals content as a side job, please share this with them!

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The Kansas City Royals have lost another valuable member of their starting rotation.

      Left-handed starter Kris Bubic was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday by the Royals with a soreness in his left elbow. Right-handed reliever Eli Morgan was called up from Triple-A Omaha.

      We have made the following roster moves:

      [image or embed]

      — Kansas City Royals (@royals.com) May 18, 2026 at 12:06 PM

      Bubic joins ace left-hander Cole Ragans on the injured list. Ragans went on the 15-day IL May 8 with an impingement in his left elbow. Ragans did throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday, but still needs to go through steps before returning to the rotation.

      Bubic started Thursday and gave up five runs in just four innings on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox. For the season, Bubic has a 4.11 ERA over nine starts, with four homers allowed in 50⅓ innings, a 12.6% walk rate and a 24.6% strikeout rate.

      Morgan is making his third trip up from the minors this year. He has appeared in seven games with a 2.61 ERA in 10⅓ innings, allowing eight hits and six walks with nine strikeouts.

      The Royals will still have to find a starter to fill Bubic's spot in the rotation.

       

      Kevin O'Brien

      The Royals have been busy on the transactional end since the conclusion of the MLB Winter Meetings. Over the past week, they have signed free-agent outfielder Lane Thomas, inked third-baseman Maikel Garcia to a five-year extension, and traded reliever Angel Zerpa to Milwaukee for outfielder Isaac Collins and reliever Nick Mears.

      However, a couple of deals that shouldn't get lost in the shuffle are the signings of infielder Kevin Newman and reliever (and former Royal) Jose Cuas to Minor League deals.

      Newman is the bigger signing of the two, as he played last season with the Angels. In 57 games and 116 plate appearances, the former Pirates first-round draft pick slashed .202/.292/.272 with a .481 OPS and 27 wRC+. He also hit two home runs, scored 13 runs, and posted an fWAR of -0.7.

      Not only were Newman's metrics not great, but he also put up lackluster exit velocity, hard-hit, and barrel metrics. Conversely, he still showed solid plate discipline and contact ability, as evidenced by his TJ Stats summary from a season ago with the Angels.

      Kevin Newman TJ-2025.png

      With an 87th percentile whiff rate and 85th percentile Z-Contact%, Newman is the kind of infielder who can serve as an emergency utility infielder off the bench.

      On a positive note, he had a much better season in 2024 with the Diamondbacks.

      In 111 games and 311 plate appearances with Arizona, he slashed .278/.311/.375 with a .686 OPS, 0.31 BB/K ratio, and 89 wRC+. He also hit three home runs, scored 41 runs, and accumulated a 1.4 fWAR with the Diamondbacks, the second-highest single-season mark of his career.

      If Newman can replicate something close to his 2024 mark, he could be the bench utility player they need for 2026. That also lessens Kansas City's need to bring back Adam Frazier for next season. While not expensive, Frazier would cost a lot more than Newman and may not produce much more value than the 32-year-old University of Arizona product (Frazier has combined for 0.2 fWAR over the past two seasons). 

      Another Minor League move the Royals made this week was bringing Cuas back. Unlike Newman, Cuas does not have an invite to Spring Training, though that could change depending on how things shake up pitching-wise this winter. 

      After putting up a 3.58 ERA in 37.2 IP in 2022 and a 4.54 ERA in 41.2 IP in 2023, the Royals traded Cuas to the Chicago Cubs in 2023 at the Trade Deadline for outfielder Nelson Velázquez.

      Cuas posted a 3.04 ERA in 23.1 IP with the Cubs that season, but he only posted a 1.36 K/BB ratio and had a 4.90 FIP. Unsurprisingly, regression hit him hard in 2024 with the Cubs, as he posted a 7.43 ERA, 2.33 K/BB ratio, and 6.02 FIP in 9 games and 13.1 IP with Chicago. As a result of these poor metrics, the Cubs designated him for assignment in June of that year.

      The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him on waivers, hoping to get him back to the 2023 form, but it didn't pan out as expected. Cuas posted a 9.00 ERA, 0.75 K/BB ratio, and 11.50 FIP in four outings and three IP. The Blue Jays then designated him for assignment in September and eventually released him.

      Since being released by the Blue Jays, Cuas has been in the Braves and Phillies organizations, but has not pitched at the Major League level. Last season, the 31-year-old righty posted a 3.22 ERA, 1.28 K/BB ratio, and 3.68 FIP in Double-A Columbus (Atlanta), and a 13.50 ERA, 0.80 K/BB ratio, and 10.81 FIP with Triple-A Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia). With the Iron Pigs, Cuas struggled with generating whiffs and chase, and his stuff didn't profile well either, via TJ Stats.

      Jose Cuas TJ-2025.png

      Even though his tenure in the Braves and Phillies organizations wasn't ideal, the Royals are likely hoping that Cuas can provide some depth and stability to the Triple-A Omaha bullpen in 2026. The Storm Chasers struggled with pitching last season, posting a 5.49 ERA, the second-worst mark in the International League. 

      Photo Credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

      Matthew Lenz

      Carlos Beltran is headed to Cooperstown! After receiving 358 votes (84.2%), the switch-hitting outfielder joins Andruw Jones as a member of the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class.

      Beltran, drafted in the 2nd round of the 1995 MLB Amateur Draft, played his first seven of 20 seasons with the Kansas City Royals. The 18-year-old from Puerto Rico needed just a little over three seasons in the minor leagues to debut on September 14th, 1998. He made the 1999 Opening Day roster and never looked back, slashing .293/.337/.454 with 22 home runs and 27 stolen bases on his way to winning American League Rookie of the Year. He'd make his first All-Star Game in 2004, weeks after being traded to the Houston Astros. Across 795 games with the Royals, Beltran slashed .280/.369/.500 with 149 home runs and 100 stolen bases accuring 24.8 bWAR.

      Despite establishing himself as one of the premier center fielders in baseball, donning the Royals' royal blue, it wouldn't be until he joined the New York Mets that his production and talents were truly recognized. In all, he'd go on to finish his career with three Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, nine All-Star appearances, and a 2017 World Series champion.

      What hat will be featured on Beltran's bust? Let us know what you think in the comments.

      Kevin O'Brien

       

      On Tuesday afternoon, the Royals announced that they had acquired right-handed pitcher Easton McGee from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations. To make room for McGee, the Royals transferred reliever Nick Mears to the 60-Day IL. 

      McGee pitched in 9 outings and 14.2 IP last season with the Brewers, posting a 5.52 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. However, his FIP was much better at 3.24. This year, he's spent most of it in Triple-A Nashville, as he has only appeared in two games for the Brewers. In those two outings, he has a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He showcased an intriguing TJ Stuff+ profile, though he didn't generate many whiffs in his brief Brewers tenure this year. 

      tjstats_season_summary (10).png

      With the Sounds in Triple-A, McGee has a 5.62 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 4.18 WHIP, and 13.6% K-BB% in 41.2 IP. In Nashville, he has done a good job of flooding the strike zone, with strong percentiles in zone rate and CSW. That is something sorely needed with this Royals bullpen, which ranks 28th in reliever BB/9 this year. 

      Easton_McGee_percentiles.png

      In a corresponding move, the Royals moved Mears from the 15-Day IL to the 60-Day IL. Mears had been on the IL since May 29th due to right shoulder impingement. The former Brewers pitcher, acquired this offseason along with Isaac Collins in the Angel Zerpa trade, had a 5.12 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 21 appearances and 19.1 IP before going on the IL. 

       

      Cory Moen

      Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list with low back tightness, which has kept him out of a few games recently. This move is retroactive to July 21, so the first day he will be eligible to come off the injured list is July 31.

      In a corresponding move, the Royals have selected the contract of shortstop Andrew Velazquez. Velazquez last appeared in a major league contest in 2023 with the Angels. He has major league experience every year from 2018-2023 and has played at Triple-A the past few years with the Braves, Yankees, and the Diamondbacks and Royals this year. 

      Across 58 Triple-A games this year, he has hit for a slash line of .270/.333/.370. He's played shortstop, second base, and all three outfield positions this year, so expect to see him at multiple positions when he is on the field.

      To make room for Velazquez on the 40-man roster, RHP Stephen Kolek was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list. 

      Cory Moen

      The Royals have activated Nate Pearson to the major league roster. He was acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros on July 22. The Royals sent RHP Max Martin to Houston to acquire Pearson.

      Pearson has been decent for Houston, throwing 20 innings with a 3.60 ERA and 4.10 FIP.

      To make room for Pearson on the major league roster, the Royals have optioned RHP Eli Morgan to Triple-A Omaha. Morgan has bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the Royals roster this year. He's appeared in 16 games and thrown 19 1/3 innings, recording 16 strikeouts with nine walks. In that time, he has a 5.12 ERA and 6.52 FIP. 

      Cory Moen

      The Royals have traded OF Kameron Misner to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.

      Misner was acquired in November in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 18 games at the major league level this year, Misner hit for a slash line of .220/.266/.244 and struck out 17 times in 41 at-bats. He added three stolen bases in four attempts in that time frame as well.  

      He was much better at the Triple-A level, hitting for a .941 OPS with 14 home runs, 16 doubles, and adding 14 stolen bases in 63 games played. Misner is able to play all three outfield positions and will give the Phillies more outfield depth.

      Cory Moen

      The Royals have placed RHP Beck Way on the injured list and recalled RHP Easton McGee.

      Way, a rookie, has pitched in 19 games with the Royals this year with a 3.86 ERA and 4.95 FIP. He has 21 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings pitched in those 19 games.

      McGee will make his Royals debut, previously having pitched in the majors for the Rays, Mariners, and Brewers. Over 13 career games at the major league level, he has thrown 26 1/3 innings and has recorded 17 strikeouts with a 3.08 ERA and 3.61 FIP.

      McGee was acquired two weeks ago from the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. Since being acquired, he has thrown six innings over three appearances at Triple-A Omaha with seven strikeouts and six runs given up, good for a 9.00 ERA. 

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The unfortunate 2026 of Vinnie Pasquantino has another chapter.

      The Kansas City Royals placed the slugging first baseman on the 10-day injured list with soreness in his right wrist and called up outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha.

      Pasquantino had been back off the IL for about three weeks following a fractured right hamate bone, the same hand now experiencing soreness. Pasquantino left Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins with the injury, which bothers him when he swings. By that tone, this would seem to be a fairly minimal stay on the IL.

      The left-handed hitter is slashing just .232/.318/.345 with his power production down notably. He has just six homers and 33 RBIs in 79 games after having 32 homers and 113 RBIs in 160 games last year.

      Rave is up for the second time this season, having gone 4-for-18 with a homer among four extra-base hits and one RBI.

       

      Cory Moen

      The Royals placed RHP Luinder Avila on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tightness. He was taken out after 2 2/3 innings in Saturday's 12-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies. 

      Avila has struggled at points this year. In 21 appearances (12 starts), he has a 5.53 ERA with a better 4.54 FIP. He's recorded 60 strikeouts and 42 walks in 70 innings pitched at the major league level this year.

      To replace Avila on the active roster, the Royals selected the contract of LHP Aaron Bummer from Triple-A.  Bummer made 4 appearances, throwing 4 1/3 innings and recording seven strikeouts in that brief stint with the Storm Chasers. Earlier this year, Bummer pitched in 19 games for the Atlanta Braves before being designated for assignment, struggling to a 7.63 ERA over 15 1/3 innings. He also pitched with the Cubs Triple-A team prior to signing a minor league contract with the Royals on July 20. 

      Cory Moen

      The Royals have acquired RHP Nolan Hoffman from the Phillies. The Royals sent RHP Manuel Colon to Philadelphia in return. 

      Hoffman has thrown 4 2/3 innings for the Phillies this year, striking out two and walking three. At the Triple-A level, Hoffman has thrown 34 1/3 innings, stirking out 40 and walking 18 with a 5.24 ERA over 30 relief appearances. He was designated for assignment earlier today.

      Colon has thrown in the Arizona Complex League and at Single-A Columbia, throwing 29 1/3 innings combined (27 in the Complex League). He has a combined 5.83 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 12 walks in that time. 

      Cory Moen

      The Royals have claimed LHP Connor Thomas off waivers from the Athletics. Thomas was previously DFAed on Aug 1, shortly after the A's claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Braves on July 31.

      Thomas has struggled in the majors in his brief appearances with the Brewers in 2025 and the Braves in 2026. He's thrown 11 2/3 innings over four appearances, giving up 27 earned runs. He has struck out nine hitters and walked eight in that time as well.

      In Triple-A with the Braves this year, he has had much better results, pitching to a 1.98 ERA over 12 appearances and 27 1/3 innings. In those innings, he has struck out 20 and walked eight. He will provide the Royals with relief pitching depth.

      No 40-man roster move was needed, as LHP Matt Strahm was designated for assignment earlier in the day. 

      Matthew Lenz

      The 2025-2026 offseason officially got underway Sunday following game 7 of the World Series on Saturday. Yesterday, it was announced that the Kansas City Royals declined the mutual option for veteran Starting Pitcher Michael Lorenzen. Today, we have more news impacting the 2026 roster.

      Per the Kansas City Royals' official Twitter account, Randal Grichuk has declined his mutual option for 2026.

      Grichuk played 113 games during the 2025 season, split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals after being acquired by the Royals in July. The outfielder primarily saw action at designated hitter (45 games) and right field (40 games). At the plate, Grichuk recorded nine home runs and produced an overall .674 OPS. Advanced metrics for the year showed a .289 wOBA and a wRC+ of 82. 

      Though he wasn't great, he provided a solid veteran depth option for a team that dealt with a variety of injuries. Looking ahead to 2026, they will likely want to target a more productive depth piece as their bench options are light. Do you think they should look to re-sign Grichuk? Let us know in the comments!

      Kevin O'Brien

      On Monday afternoon, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reported that right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh had a labral repair on his right shoulder last month. According to Rogers, the 27-year-old, who missed all of 2025 due to a shoulder injury, may be looking at up to a year of recovery. 

       

      Marsh was a key pitcher for the Royals during their 86-76 season in 2024. In his first full season with the Royals, he posted a 4.53 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 129 IP. While his ERA was high, it was an improvement from his 5.69 ERA in 74.1 IP in 2023, and his 4.34 FIP and 3.15 K/BB ratio illustrated that he may have been better than his ERA in 2024. 

      Before his injury, the Royals were unsure whether Marsh would return to the rotation or remain in the bullpen, where he pitched at the end of the 2024 season. However, he suffered his injury early in Spring Training and didn't throw a single pitch at the Minor or Major League level in 2025. 

      The injury to Marsh hurts the possible depth of a Royals staff that was heavily affected by injuries last year. Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic missed significant time due to shoulder injuries, though Ragans returned in September. Kyle Wright pitched in the Minor Leagues, but was shut down during his rehab and didn't throw a pitch at the MLB level. Seth Lugo was also shut down at the end of the season due to a back issue. 

      With Michael Lorenzen a free agent, the Royals may look for pitching on the free agent or trade market to replace Marsh's spot on the 40-man roster for 2026. 

       

      Photo Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

      Matthew Lenz

      So far this offseason, which is three days old, the Kansas City Royals have lost two pitchers for the 2026 season. Now, there's a third.

      Jon Heyman of the NY Post is reporting that former 5th overall pick and Cy Young vote getter, Kyle Wright, has been placed on outright waivers by the club. If he clears waivers, he will have the option to reject the assignment and become a free agent.

      It's been a tough road for Wright ever since his Cy Young worthy campaign in 2022. He's dealt with a variety of injuries over the three seasons, resulting in just seven big league starts and 19 starts across four different levels. Wright was acquired from the Atlanta Braves ahead of the 2024 season, but missed the entire season due to surgery repairing the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. He made eight stats in 2025 across Double-A and Triple-A sporting a 5.48 ERA and 21:14 K:BB ratio over 23 innings.

      Given his upside, he's likely to find a home in 2026, though it may come in the form of a Minor League deal. Do you think the Royals should pull the trigger? Let us know in the comments!

      Kevin O'Brien

       

      On the Royals' social media on Tuesday evening, the club announced that it had agreed to terms on a two-year contract with catcher Salvador Perez. 

       

      The Royals held a $13.5 million club option on Perez for 2026. However, it was expected that they would bring Salvy back next season, either on that option or by offering a new contract, so that he could perhaps retire with the Royals organization he had spent his entire career with. 

      It appears that Royals GM JJ Picollo went with the latter, committing to their captain for at least a couple of more seasons.

      Here's what Picollo said about the announcement on Salvy's new deal.

      Quote

      “Salvy is a Royals legend and one of the most important players this franchise has ever had,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager J.J. Picollo. “We had the option for next year, but everyone knew we wanted to make sure his legacy with us continued longer than that. We appreciate Salvy’s commitment to the Royals, and we’re just as excited as our fans.”

      No monetary amount has been reported just yet, and it's unclear whether any options will be involved in his new deal. More details about the agreement will likely be revealed in the coming days.*

      Edit as of 7:38 CST: Joel Sherman reports that it will be a two-year, $25 million deal (thus, an AAV of $12.5 million). 

       

      Earlier today, Jon Heyman reported that pitcher Kyle Wright would be placed on outright waivers. That clears a roster spot on the 40-man roster and money on the payroll, as Wright was arbitration-eligible. 

      Salvy's extension is likely the first of a series of moves by the Royals this offseason as they look to return to the postseason after an 82-80 campaign in 2025. Kansas City has the financial flexibility to make some roster moves, and the releases of players like Michael Lorenzen, Randal Grichuk, and Wright only give them more flexibility, even with the announcement of Salvy's new deal. 

      Thankfully for Royals fans, the future Royals Hall of Famer (and possibly Cooperstown-bound catcher) situation isn't in doubt next season or in 2027. 

       

      Photo Credit: © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

      Kevin O'Brien

      On Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox announced that they hired Zach Bove as their pitching coach for the 2026 season. Bove, who came to Kansas City from the Twins, where he served as an assistant pitching coordinator, had been the Royals' assistant pitching coach for the past three seasons and worked closely with pitching coach Brian Sweeney.

      The White Sox have been adding new members to second-year manager Will Venables' staff. In addition to Bove, Chicago will also be hiring a former Marlins assistant hitting coach to be the White Sox's hitting coach next season. 

      The loss of Bove is a tough one for a Royals pitching staff that has seen a resurgence under Bove and Sweeney. In 2025, the Royals' pitching staff ranked 6th in baseball with a 3.73 ERA. In 2024, they ranked 7th with a 3.76 ERA. The bullpen saw the most significant gain over the past two seasons, going from 20th in ERA in 2024 to 7th in 2025. 

      Bove was known for his work in helping pitchers refine their pitch shapes and quality during his time with the Royals. Many pitchers saw positive changes in their repertoires during their time in Kansas City, with Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans being the biggest success stories. Lugo and Ragans finished second and fourth in the AL Cy Young race in 2024. 

      No replacement for Bove has been named yet. Sweeney remains as the Royals' pitching coach, and Mitch Stetter is still the Royals' bullpen coach, according to the Royals' official website. 

      Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

      Kevin O'Brien

      According to the Royals' official transaction sheet, left-handed reliever Sam Long was removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on November 6th. It is unclear whether Long will remain in the Royals' organization with this latest move. However, to pitch for the Royals again in 2026, he would need to be added to the 40-man roster again at some point.

      Signed as a Minor League free agent in the spring of 2024, Long made the Royals roster and ended up being a key piece of the Royals bullpen during their 86-76 season. In his first season in Kansas City, he posted a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.89 FIP, and 2.59 K/BB ratio in 43 appearances and 42.2 IP. The Sacramento State product was a key left-handed reliever for manager Matt Quatraro, especially in high-leverage situations.

      Unfortunately, Long battled injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025. 

      Over 39 appearances and 40.1 IP, the 30-year-old lefty posted a 5.36 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, 5.54 WHIP, and 1.50 K/BB ratio. Long struck out fewer batters (7.5% decrease in K rate), walked more (1.9% increase in BB rate), gave up more hard-hits (9.1% increase in hard-hit rate), and saw his called strikes plus whiff rate (CSW) go from 28% in 2024 to 23.5% in 2025. As a result, Long lost his setup position in the bullpen to other left-hander relievers like Angel Zerpa and Daniel Lynch IV last season.

      Long went on the IL on April 13th due to left elbow inflammation and didn't return to the Royals until June 20th. He struggled in the first half of the season with a 9.82 ERA and 1.98 WHIP in 14.2 IP before the All-Star Break. However, he was more effective in the second half, as he posted a 2.81 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 25.2 IP. 

      The Royals were in a tough dilemma with Long this offseason. Not only was he arbitration-eligible (MLBTR predicted his salary amount to be around $950K), but he was also out of Minor League options. With Lynch, Zerpa, and Bailey Falter, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Trade Deadline, also on the 40-man roster, Long appeared to be the odd man out.

      Kyle Wright was also listed as an outright to Omaha after clearing waivers on the transactions sheet.  On Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the NY Post reported that Wright was being put on waivers.

      Update (9:55 a.m., November 7th): The Royals announced via social media that they have outrighted Long and Wright officially, and they both have elected free agency. 

       

      Photo Credit: © Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

      Kevin O'Brien

      On Monday, MLB.com Royals writer Anne Rogers reported via her sources that the Royals would be filling out their hitting coaching staff by hiring Marcus Thames, who recently was the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox.

      As Rogers pointed out on Bluesky, Thames has coaching experience with multiple MLB teams and has held the title of hitting coach with the Yankees, Marlins, Angels, and White Sox. Thames is a former MLB player who played in 640 games with the Tigers, Yankees, Rangers, and Dodgers from 2002 to 2011. He has hit 115 career home runs and has a career batting average of .246.

      Last season, Chicago struggled offensively under Thames, ranking 27th in OBP and runs scored, and 28th in OPS. However, the White Sox saw the growth of some young hitters under Thames' tutelage, including top prospect Colson Montgomery, who hit 21 home runs and posted an .840 OPS, Kyle Teel, who hit eight home runs and posted a .786 OPS, and Miguel Vargas, who hit 16 home runs and posted a .717 OPS. 

      Thames will join Connor Dawson on the staff, who comes over from the Brewers organization. Dawson is a KC native who attended Olathe North High School and coached at St. Thomas Aquinas High School before matriculating to the Mariners organization and then the Brewers in 2021. Alec Zumwalt remains the Royals' lead hitting coach for 2026. 

      Photo Credit: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images

      Bryan Jaeger

      The Kansas City Royals made a minor trade to add pitching depth, acquiring Mason Black from the San Francisco Giants for minor league prospect Logan Martin. Black, a third-round pick in 2021, was designated for assignment by the Giants. He has yet to live up to his draft hype, but in the minors from 2022 to 2024, he posted a 3.77 ERA with 378 strikeouts in 320 innings, quickly advancing to Triple-A.

      Black, once seen as a top prospect, made his MLB debut on May 6, 2024. He pitched 14 1/3 innings before being sent down, then was later recalled to throw a first-season total of 36 1/3 innings, posting a 31:15 strikeout-to-walk ratio but allowing a .309 opponent batting average. This season, he pitched just four innings with a 6.75 ERA.

      Added to the Royals' 40-man roster, Black still has one remaining option year. The Royals can keep him in Triple-A Omaha, giving him time to work out his kinks. A new location may help the 25-year-old return to the strong production he showed early in his minor league career. The Royals might also test how Black performs in a relief role. Regardless, they paid a minimal price for a pitcher with MLB experience.

      Matthew Lenz

      The Kansas City Royals are shifting titles and responsibilities in their front office. Brooks Sherman, formerly the president of business operations, is now president of real estate and development. His primary responsibility will be looking for a new ballpark location.

      In his place, Anne Rogers of MLB.com is reporting that the Kansas City Royals have named Cullen Maxey the President of Business Operations. In a statement, Royals chairman/CEO John Sherman said, "...this is a day that helps change our organization and prepares us for the future." Maxey was previously the Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Revenue Officer with the Arizona Diamondbacks for 16 seasons.

      In Arizona, Maxey was part of the leadership team responsible for the planning and construction of the $200 million Salt River Fields Complex. He also led the team that transitioned the Diamondbacks' broadcast from the regional sports network model to a team-managed multi-platform distribution. Most notably for fans, he was one of the key figures behind "value item pricing" at the concession stand. His efforts led the D-backs to have the lowest Fan Cost Index in MLB for many consecutive years.

      While the impact of front office roles can be hard to measure, how do you think Maxey and Sherman's new roles will impact the Royals organization? Let us know in the comments!

      Kevin O'Brien

      Tuesday night was the deadline for teams to add Rule 5 Draft-eligible players to the 40-man roster. According to MLB.com Royals beat writer, the Royals added two pitchers to the 40-man roster by the deadline: Ben Kudrna and Steven Zobac. 

      Kudrna is ranked No. 5 on our Top-20 Prospects list at Royals Keep. The former 2021 second-round pick from Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas, primarily pitched in Double-A with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals last season. In 20 outings (19 starts) and 94 IP, he posted a 4.21 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. While those weren't elite, his 24% K rate, 15.7% K-BB%, and 3.53 FIP were much more encouraging marks.

      The 22-year-old righty struggled in the transition to Triple-A at the end of the season. In four outings (three starts) and 11.1 IP, he posted a 14.29 ERA and 2.74 WHIP. He also saw his K rate plummet to 15.7% and walk rate balloon to 27% (nearly 20% higher than his walk rate in Northwest Arkansas). Unfortunately, his stuff didn't profile well with the Storm Chasers either, which makes one wonder whether he was dealing with fatigue at the end of the season.

      Ben Kudrna TJ AAA-2025.png

      In addition to a meager 35.5% zone rate and 20.6% chase rate, his overall TJ Stuff+ was below average at 94. On a positive note, he still posted a 29.5% whiff rate, showing his ability to make batters swing and miss was still there in Omaha, despite the poor peripherals. A full offseason and time with the big league coaching staff could help him rebound with the Storm Chasers in 2026, making him a viable option for the rotation at the end of next season or in 2027.

      As for Zobac, our 15th-ranked prospect, he struggled with injuries last year, which led to a down season despite the preseason hype (as we discussed in his scouting report).

      The 25-year-old only made 14 starts overall between Northwest Arkansas and the Complex League, with the latter being rehab outings. In that 44.2 IP sample, he posted a 7.25 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, and 13.7% K-BB%. The control and ability to throw strikes remain a plus aspect of Zobac's profile, and he still struck out 21.3% of batters in the Minor Leagues last season.

      The hope is that Zobac is fully healthy and can recapture the buzz he once had at the conclusion of the 2024 season. He could be a candidate to make the Royals roster at some point in 2026 as a long reliever or spot starter, as long as he can accumulate innings next season and solve his longball issues (2.01 HR/9 allowed in the Minors last season).

      The Royals roster is currently at 39, and some notable players were left off the 40-man roster, exposing them to the December Rule 5 Draft, which takes place at the conclusion of the MLB Winter Meetings. Here's a list of the most intriguing Rule 5-eligible players who could get drafted in less than a month. 

      • Felix Arronde, RHP: 12th-ranked prospect who posted a 2.80 ERA in High-A Quad Cities. 
      • Daniel Vazquez, SS: 14th-ranked prospect and had a Solid AFL campaign.
      • Frank Mozzicato, LHP: 2021 First-Round Pick and 20th-ranked prospect.
      • Gavin Cross, OF: 2022 First-Round Pick.
      • Luca Tresh, C: Posted a .794 OPS in Omaha in 2025.
      • Javi Vaz, UT: Athletic utility player who posted a 1.25 BB/K ratio and stole 25 bases in Double-A in 2025. 
      • Henry Williams, RHP: Former Padres prospect acquired in the Scott Barlow trade in 2023
      • Shane Panzini, RHP: 2021 Fourth-Round Pick who posted a 3.39 ERA, 109 IP across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels last season. 

      Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

      Kevin O'Brien

       

      The Royals were active on Thursday evening, the night before the non-tender deadline. Their significant move was signing free-agent reliever Alex Lange to a one-year deal, first reported by Royals beat writer Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Royals made the signing official later in the evening.

       

      Lange only made one appearance for the Tigers in 2025, as he spent most of the year on the IL recovering from lat surgery in June of 2024. Due to that injury, he only pitched one inning in 2025 and 18.2 innings in 2024 with Detroit. However, in 2023, he not only appeared in 67 games and pitched 66 innings, but also posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, and recorded 26 saves as the Tigers' closer. 

      Control has long been an issue for Lange at the Major League level. He has a career walk rate of 13.5%. Even during his 2023 season, he posted a walk rate of 15.6% and a K-BB% of 11.8%. In his injury-plagued 2024 campaign, he allowed a walk rate of 18.9% and a K-BB% of 4.4%.

      Despite those issues, the Lee's Summit West High School alum remains an intriguing project for the Royals and pitching coach Brian Sweeney. He sports a career K rate of 27.2% and a career CSW% of 31.7%, according to Fangraphs. Furthermore, while he pitched primarily in Triple-A in 2025, he posted some intriguing metrics, according to his TJ Stats summary.

      Alex Lange TJ AAA-2025.png

      Lange posted an overall TJ Stuff+ of 102, and all four of his offerings sported grades of 50 or over, with his sinker and knuckle curve sporting 60 and 56 grades, respectively. While his ability to find the zone was inconsistent (42.3% zone rate), he still generated a 42.2% whiff rate and a .266 xwOBACON in 23.1 IP with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

      Lange's addition fills out the Royals' 40-man roster, which was at 39, after the additions of pitchers Ben Kudrna and Steven Zobac. However, some roster spots could be cleared by tomorrow's 3 p.m. non-tender deadline. 

       

      Photo Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

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