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  • Kansas City Royals Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Kansas City Royals free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Matthew Lenz
    The Kansas City Royals have been involved in a fair number of rumors this offseason. Specifically, they were looking to flip some pitching for an outfield bat. On Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic provided an update on two of the names that have been tied to the most.
    According to Rosenthal, the Royals are "unlikely to land" Jarren Duran or Brendan Donovan. He goes on to say, "Barring further moves, the Royals expect to rely heavily on offseason acquisitions Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas in their outfield, as well as rookie Jac Caglianone and holdover Kyle Isbel.”
    Of that group, only Collins was an above-average hitter last year, posting a .779 OPS with nine home runs and 16 stolen bases. This resulted in a 122 wRC+, whereas the next-highest from that last group was Isbel, who posted a 79 wRC+. Additionally, Collins was in the 86th percentile of Out Above Average (OAA), accruing four (six in left field and -2 in right). Isbel is also a plus defender, accruing +12 OAA, whereas Thomas and Caglianone are more known for their arms.
     
    Do you think the Royals should do what it takes to land Duran or Donovan? Let us know in the comments!
    Kevin O'Brien
    The Royals' future with FanDuel Sports Network is in doubt for the 2026 season.
    On Thursday, Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported that Kansas City and eight other teams (Braves, Tigers, Reds, Angels, Marlins, Brewers, Rays, and Cardinals) terminated their agreements with Main Street Sports Group, the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network.
    Main Street Sports Group had been in a questionable financial position for a while, as many teams reported missing scheduled payments. The parent company of the Fanduel Sports Network hoped that a deal with DAZN, a London-based sports streaming network, would solve its financial issues. Unfortunately, Main Street and DAZN were reportedly unable to reach an agreement, according to Tom Friend of The Sports Business Journal.
    Here's what Friend said in his article regarding the DAZN and Main Street negotiations. 
    Friend reported that Fubo may be in negotiations to acquire Main Street, but it's hard to tell how far along and legitimate those talks are. According to the SBJ report, some sources have denied Fubo's involvement with Main Street, and Fubo spokespeople have denied comment. 
    A deal for Main Street is needed for Fanduel Sports Network to remain operational after the conclusion of the NBA and NHL seasons. However, without such a deal, it's likely that Main Street would declare bankruptcy. Thus, it makes sense that the Royals and eight other clubs would decide to terminate their deal now to figure out a broadcasting plan by Spring Training.
    Clubs can renegotiate with Main Street if the media company's situation changes. That said, if nothing comes to fruition on Main Street's end, then it's possible that the nine teams could give their broadcast rights to Major League Baseball. Currently, MLB owns and distributes the broadcast rights for the Padres, Rockies, Guardians, Twins, Diamondbacks, and Mariners.
    Local fans of those teams can watch their club via a team-specific MLB.TV subscription. Whether the Royals will do that or go with another broadcasting option is yet to be determined. 
    Photo Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
    Matthew Lenz
    The Kansas City Royals have been involved in their fair share of rumors this offseason, though the temperature on the hot stove has remained low to medium. Now, for the third time this offseason, they have come to a minor league agreement with a utility backup. Having previously signed Jorge Alfaro and Abraham Toro, they have agreed to terms with Josh Rojas.
    Mark Feinsand of MLB.com is reporting that Rojas also received a non-roster invite to spring training.
    Rojas, 32, played 69 games for the Chicago White Sox last season. Across 211 plate appearances, he had a .511 OPS with two home runs and four stolen bases. He appeared at second base, third base, and left field. In seven seasons, Rojas has been a below-average hitter (88 wRC+) and has spent time at every position except center field and catcher. He'll look to compete with Alfaro and Toro for one of the last spots off the bench.
    Do you think the Royals have done enough this offseason to improve the roster? Let us know what you're thinking in the comments!
    Kevin O'Brien
    On Monday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reported that the Royals agreed to a Minor League deal with catching veteran Jorge Alfaro. 
     
    The 32-year-old catcher started in the Phillies organization, but has played with the Marlins, Padres, Rockies, Red Sox, and Nationals. In 14 games in D.C. last season, he posted a 54 wRC+ and -0.3 fWAR in 39 plate appearances. According to his Statcast summary via TJ Stats, Alfaro showed some ability to launch the ball and hit the ball with some above-average exit velocity. That said, the rest of his metrics were paltry, especially in the plate discipline areas. 

     
    Alfaro hasn't been exceptional defensively over his career. He has a -19 DRS, -2.1 FRM, and -17 FRV in 3,481 career innings behind the plate. Thus, even if Alfaro makes the Majors, it is likely that he wouldn't be a long-term option for the Royals. 
    Though it isn't official, the Royals will likely invite Alfaro to Spring Training for catching depth. He will also likely begin the year in Omaha, serving as an emergency catcher who can be promoted and serve as a backup catcher if anything happens to Salvador Perez or top prospect Carter Jensen. 
    Luke Maile served in this role last year and posted a 99 wRC+ and 0.3 fWAR. Like Alfaro, he was inconsistent with his plate discipline, but Maile was more patient at the plate (86th percentile walk rate) and showed more upside with his batted-ball metrics with the Royals a season ago.
     

    Maile is still a free agent, so it's possible that the Royals could still bring him back on a Minor League deal. Regardless, the Royals likely want some depth in Omaha, since top catching prospects Blake Mitchell and Ramon Ramirez are still a couple of years away from debuting in the show (at the earliest). 
    Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
    Kevin O'Brien
    On Wednesday morning, Red Sox insider Ari Alexander reported that left-handed pitcher Helcris Olivarez agreed to a Minor League deal with the Royals that includes an invitation to Spring Training.
     
    Olivarez started his career as a pretty heralded prospect in the Rockies' system with high-velocity stuff. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in 2022 that required surgery. Recovery forced him to miss the remainder of 2022 and all of 2023. Olivarez was later released by the Rockies and was picked up by the Red Sox before the 2024 season. He spent half a season with the Red Sox before being let go in July of that season. The Giants promptly picked him up after his release and primarily pitched the remainder of the season in Double-A Richmond. He spent all of last season in the San Francisco organization, pitching in Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento.
     
     
    With the Rivercats last season, he posted a 3.65 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 37 IP (34 appearances). He posted impressive strikeout numbers (26.3% K rate) and a solid CSW (30.2%). Unfortunately, he struggled with control, as illustrated by his 24.6% walk rate and 1.7% K-BB%. As a result, his FIP was 5.84, 2.19 points higher than his ERA. 
    The 25-year-old lefty possesses solid stuff, though he doesn't quite have the 100-MPH stuff that he once had as a Rockies prospect. According to TJ Stats, he posted strong TJ Stuff+ metrics and encouraging whiff rates, as shown below.

    Olivarez's overall TJ Stuff+ was 101. He also sported two pitches with 64 grades: the sinker and changeup. His whiff rate was 37.3% and his xwOBACON was .277. That showed that Olivarez in Triple-A could not just generate swings and misses, but also unproductive contact.
    Unfortunately, his paltry 40.2% zone rate and lackluster 18.8% chase rate weigh down his overall outlook at the Major League level. It will be hard for him to succeed until he improves his control and reduces the number of free passes. 
    The Royals likely view Olivarez as a project who will likely eat a lot of innings as the primary lefty reliever in the Triple-A Storm Chasers bullpen. According to Roster Resource, the only other lefty relievers currently in the Omaha bullpen are Chazz Martinez and Christian Chamberlain, who are both older than Olivarez. That said, the Royals have had success the past couple of seasons with relievers on Minor League deals, as demonstrated by Taylor Clarke last year and Sam Long in 2024. 
    Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
    Kevin O'Brien
    On Wednesday morning, Jon Heyman reported that the Royals are among the teams still interested in acquiring free-agent outfielder Austin Hays.
     
     
    Hays is coming off a solid season with a Reds team that made the postseason a year ago (they lost in the Wild Card round to the eventual World Series champion Dodgers). In 416 plate appearances, the 30-year-old outfielder slashed .266/.315/.453 with a .327 wOBA, 105 wRC+, 15 home runs, and 64 RBI. He also accumulated a 1.2 fWAR with the Reds in 2025, a one-fWAR improvement from his split season with the Orioles and Phillies in 2024.
    The 2016 third-round pick was primarily effective as a lefty-masher with Cincinnati. In 105 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers, he hit .319 with a 155 wRC+, .231 ISO, and 0.50 BB/K ratio. Conversely, in 289 plate appearances against righties last year, Hays hit .249 with an 88 wRC+, .173 ISO, and 0.20 BB/K ratio.
    Thus, if the Royals acquire Hays, it's likely that he could be in a platoon role, splitting time in either right field with Jac Caglianone or in left field with Isaac Collins. Lane Thomas, in this scenario, would likely split time with Kyle Isbel in center field. 
    When looking at his Statcast summary profile via TJ Stats, Hays shows adeptness at pulling and barreling the ball. However, his exit velocity and plate discipline metrics were shaky last season. As a result, his .300 xwOBA was 27 points lower than his actual wOBA, a sign that he could be due for regression in 2026.
     

    The Royals still are reportedly trying to acquire Jarren Duran from the Red Sox or Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals. That said, Hays may be a nice consolation prize for the Royals if GM JJ Picollo isn't able to swing a trade for the Red Sox outfielder or Cardinals infielder this offseason. 
    Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
    Kevin O'Brien
    On Saturday evening, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Royals remain open to trading starter Kris Bubic and other pitchers to acquire a big-name bat this offseason.
    Bubic had an excellent campaign in 2025, despite missing most of the second half due to a shoulder injury. In 20 starts and 116.1 IP, the first-time All-Star posted a 2.55 ERA, an 8.97 K/9, and accumulated a 3.3 fWAR. Only Michael Wacha posted a higher pitcher fWAR last season (3.6) for the Royals.
    Additionally, upon his return to the rotation last year, Bubic still profiled well across his TJ Stuff and other metrics, as illustrated in his TJ Stats summary below.

    Bubic rated above-average in not just TJ Stuff+ (103), but zone% (51.9%), chase% (32.4%), whiff% (28.8%), and xwOBACON (.344). Thus, it makes sense why teams are interested in Bubic's services for 2026, even if he will be a free agent after next season.
    In addition to Bubic, it also seems like the Royals may be interested in trading relievers John Schreiber or Bailey Falter to clear payroll for a player like Boston's Jarren Duran or St. Louis' Brendan Donovan. Here's what Rosenthal says about those possibilities in his latest piece.
    John Schreiber is an interesting name, mainly because he was used in many high-leverage situations last year. When it came to gmLI, which measures leverage index when a pitcher enters a game, only Carlos Estevez (1.81) and Lucas Erceg (1.64) had higher gmLI marks than Schreiber. That said, while the 31-year-old righty posted a 3.80 ERA and flooded the strike zone last year, he struggled to generate chases and whiffs, as illustrated in his TJ Stats summary below.

    As for Bailey Falter, he struggled in his brief tenure in Kansas City, posting an 11.25 ERA in 12 IP with the Royals. His FIP was a little better at 5.22, but his overall FIP was 4.94 over 125.1 IP with the Pirates and Royals last season. Like Schreiber, inducing whiffs and chases was an issue for Falter a year ago, and it's hard to imagine it improving enough in 2026.

    While Falter and Schreiber may not be trending in the right direction, they could be a nice fit for a roster that lacks bullpen depth and needs relievers who will throw strikes and limit the walks.
    Rosenthal mentioned that Kansas City remains committed to keeping not just Cole Ragans but also to Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, among others, even though they are drawing interest. 
    The Royals have traded away Angel Zerpa and Jonathan Bowlan already this offseason, who posted ERA marks of 4.31 and 3.61 last season, respectively. It will be interesting to see whether Royals GM JJ Picollo would be open to trading another young pitcher, such as Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, or Luinder Avila, if it helps them acquire a big-name position player who can boost the middle of the batting order. 
    Photo Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
    Kevin O'Brien
    Shortly after the news of Kansas City acquiring Matt Strahm from Philadelphia in exchange for Jonathan Bowlan, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extra Base reported that utility player Abraham Toro agreed to a Minor League deal with the Royals that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training.
     
     
    The 29-year-old infielder played with the Red Sox last season, posting a 77 wRC+ and -0.7 fWAR in 284 plate appearances. His best season fWAR-wise came in 2024 with the Athletics, as he not only posted a career-high 0.7 fWAR, but also sported an 87 wRC+ in 364 plate appearances. 
    Toro struggles to generate hard contact, as his average exit velocity, barrel, and hard-hit rates ranked near the bottom of the league, according to TJ Stats data. That said, he makes a lot of contact and doesn't strike out, despite an aggressive approach, which can be seen in his Statcast percentiles below.
     

    Because this is a Minor League deal, the Royals do not have to clear a roster spot for Toro. Kevin Newman was also invited to Spring Training earlier this month and should compete with Toro for a spot on the 40-man roster this spring in Surprise. 
    Photo Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
    Kevin O'Brien
    On Friday morning, Robert Murray of Fansided noted that left-handed reliever Matt Strahm would be heading to the Kansas City Royals, according to sources.
    Later, Mark Feinsand confirmed the move, also noting that right-handed reliever Jonathan Bowlan would be going back to the Phillies in the deal. 
    The Royals this offseason have noted that they wanted to acquire a lefty reliever who could get left-handed batters out. After trading away Angel Zerpa for Isaac Collins and Nick Mears, it seemed like the Royals' need for such a reliever was even more urgent.
    Strahm is a former 21st-round draft pick by the Royals, selected in the 2012 MLB Draft. Strahm pitched two seasons in Kansas City (2016 and 2017) and put up ERA marks of 1.23 and 5.49, respectively. Since then, he's pitched for the Padres, Red Sox, and Phillies and posted a 2.74 ERA, 2.99 FIP, and 1.5 fWAR in 66 outings and 62.1 IP.
    When looking at his metrics via TJ Stats, Strahm illustrated above-average stuff metrics, a strong ability to flood the strike zone, and a capability to generate a lot of chase as well as weak contact. 

    Strahm will be a free agent after the 2026 season. It will be interesting to see if Strahm will be a one-year project or if the Royals are planning to extend him at some point next year. He just turned 34 years old this November.
    As for Bowlan, he had a solid year last season, posting a 3.86 ERA in 44.1 IP. He also sported strong TJ Stuff+ metrics as well as chase and whiff rates, according to TJ Stats.

    Bowlan's FIP was a bit higher at 3.97, and he didn't see a whole lot of high-leverage situations last year. He is also out of Minor League options, and he was one of the most optioned relievers in the Royals' bullpen last season. With the arrival of Mears and James McArthur returning from injury, it seems like the Royals were willing to make Bowlan expendable, despite his intriguing pitch metrics.
    The Royals have made the deal official, per their team's social media accounts.
    With it being a one-for-one trade, the Royals roster remains full at 40 players. 
    Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
    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.

    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.

    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
    Brock Beauchamp
    The Royals are still looking to be active in the trade market, and two new names have been added to their interest list, writes Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Royals have been linked to the Red Sox's Jarren Duran for months, but are now apparently interested in the Nationals' infielder CJ Abrams and, more surprisingly, their young starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore.
    To read about potential matchups in a trade for Jarren Duran, click here to read our in-depth piece on scenarios.
    MacKenzie Gore: The 26-year-old left-hander is arbitration-eligible, with club control through 2028. In 2024, he made 32 starts and logged 166 1/3 innings with a 24.8% K%, 8.9% BB%, 3.53 FIP, and 3.2 fWAR. In 2025, he started 30 games and threw 159 2/3 innings with a 27.2% K%, 9.4% BB%, 3.74 FIP, and 2.9 fWAR. 
    CJ Abrams: Abrams is 25 and arbitration-eligible, also with club control through 2028. In 2024, he logged 602 plate appearances with 20 homers, 31 steals, a .246/.314/.433 line, .322 wOBA, 106 wRC+, and 1.9 fWAR, plus -18 OAA at shortstop. He's brutal defensively at short, which makes a position switch likely. In 2025, he reached 635 plate appearances with 19 homers, 31 steals, .257/.315/.433, .324 wOBA, 107 wRC+, 3.1 fWAR, and -11 OAA, with a 5.8% BB% and 19.7% K%. 
    Brock Beauchamp
    Katie Woo and Fabian A, writing for The Athletic, reported that the Royals are interested in slugging Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. 
    Interested in learning more about Hernandez? Read our in-depth write-up on him as a trade candidate.
    Before the 2024 season, Hernandez signed a one-year, $23.5 million contract with Los Angeles. After the season, he declined the club’s qualifying offer and became a free agent. In early January 2025, he rejoined the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million contract that runs through 2027, with a $15 million club option for 2028. 
    In 2024, with the Dodgers, he appeared in 154 games and logged 652 plate appearances, hitting .272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs. In 2025, he played 134 games and collected 546 plate appearances, hitting .247/.284/.454 with 25 home runs, a 4.8 percent walk rate, a 24.5 percent strikeout rate, an .207 isolated power, and a .315 wOBA with a 102 wRC+.
    Kevin O'Brien
    The Winter Meetings ended on Wednesday, but the hot stove discussion didn't conclude by any means. On Wednesday evening, it was reported that Mike Yastrzemski, who came over to Kansas City at the Trade Deadline last year, agreed to a multi-year deal with the Atlanta Braves.
     
    Yastrzemski was a massive boost to a Royals lineup that was stagnant for most of the season.
    In 50 games and 186 plate appearances, the 35-year-old outfielder slashed .237/.339/.500 with a 127 wRC+, 1.14 BB/K ratio, and 1.3 fWAR. His fWAR was 0.3 higher than his fWAR in 97 games with the Giants earlier in the season. The outfielder also showcased excellent plate discipline and strong launch ability with the Royals, as illustrated in his Statcast percentiles via TJ Stats.

    For the season, the Royals' offense ranked 22nd in baseball with a 93 wRC+, according to Fangraphs. However, from August until the end of the season, the Royals ranked 11th in wRC+ with a 107 mark. Yastrzemski's presence in the lineup had a significant effect on that turnaround. 
    According to Sam Forsberg of Discuss Baseball, the Royals and Braves were the two primary teams in the mix for Yastrzemski this offseason. 
     
    While nothing official was confirmed, the Royals likely offered Yastrzemski a deal. MLB.com Royals beat writer Anne Rogers mentioned at the conclusion of the Winter Meetings that the Royals had made offers to free agents, but were waiting for their decisions. 
     
    Losing out on Yastrzemski is tough, especially considering his impact after the Trade Deadline. That said, at 35, it may be challenging for Yastrzemski to live up to the contract he just signed with Atlanta. If the Braves exercise his option, he'll be nearly 40 by the end of the deal. He also has struggled in his career against lefties, with a career 79 wRC+ against southpaws, according to Fangraphs.
    Royals GM JJ Picollo will continue to scour the free-agent and trade markets for outfield help. According to multiple reports, acquiring a couple of outfielders this offseason is the top priority for Kansas City. 
    Photo Credit: © Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
    Brock Beauchamp
    Anne Rogers, in her latest rundown from the Winter Meetings, mentioned that the Kansas City Royals are receiving interest in several of their young players.
    Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, and Stephen Kolek all finished 2025 on the big-league pitching staff. Cameron worked 138 1/3 innings with a 2.99 ERA, 109 hits allowed, 46 earned runs, 43 walks, and 114 strikeouts. His line included a FIP of 4.18, with 7.4 strikeouts and 2.8 walks per 9 innings. 
    Bergert split his debut season between San Diego and Kansas City, totaling 76 1/3 innings with a 3.66 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 61 hits allowed, 35 walks, and 73 strikeouts. Kolek also pitched for both clubs in 2025 and finished with 112 2/3 innings, 98 hits allowed, 44 earned runs, 31 walks, and 77 strikeouts, producing a 3.51 ERA (3.82 FIP).
    From a team control and expense standpoint, all three are pre-arbitration. Players do not become arbitration-eligible until roughly three years of service, and do not reach free agency until about six years. As recent rookies with less than two years of service time, Cameron, Bergert, and Kolek are projected to remain under club control for at least half a decade.
    Kevin O'Brien
    On Monday evening, Brian McTaggart, a Houston Astros beat writer for MLB.com, wrote that the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds are two teams that have been talking with the Astros during the Winter Meetings about acquiring outfielder Jake Meyers. 
    Meyers is coming off one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, making him a candidate for a more extended role with another team next season.
    In 104 games and 381 plate appearances, the University of Nebraska product hit .292 with a 107 wRC+. He also hit three home runs, stole 16 bases, and accumulated a fWAR of 2.3, a career-high. Meyers doesn't offer a whole lot of power, and his batted-ball metrics are a bit questionable. However, he shows strong plate discipline (0.46 BB/K ratio) and strong contact ability, as seen below in his TJ Stats summary from last season.

    Though he hits right-handed, Meyers actually had reverse splits last season. Against lefties, he posted a 0.27 BB/K ratio and 93 wRC+ in 71 plate appearances. Against righties, he posted a 0.50 BB/K ratio and 111 wRC+. Over his career, however, he has a 110 wRC+ against lefties and an 85 wRC+ against righties, so 2025 may have been an aberration. 
    If acquired, the 29-year-old outfielder would likely split time in centerfield with Kyle Isbel, who has a career 64 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. However, Isbel has cemented his place as the Royals' primary center fielder over the past three seasons due to his excellent defense. He posted a +12 OAA and +10 FRV last season, which earned him a nod as a Gold Glove finalist. 
    Meyers offers the same defensive upside. Last year, he posted a +9 OAA and +8 FRV. He also posted OAA and FRV of +13 and +11, respectively, in 2024. Thus, the defense in centerfield wouldn't miss a beat with Meyers. 
    McTaggart mentioned that the Astros are looking to acquire young starting pitching this offseason. Kris Bubic appears to be an early target for Houston, and could be part of a deal involving Meyers.
    While Bubic is coming off an injury and is a free agent after 2026, the Astros may need to throw something else in a trade package with Meyers to solidify a deal with Kansas City. Bubic made his first All-Star team last year and posted a 2.55 ERA, 2.89 FIP, and 3.3 fWAR in 116.1 IP before his season ended due to a shoulder injury. 
    A straight-up trade of Meyers for Bubic may be light on the Royals' end, so it will be interesting to see what talks develop between Houston and Kansas City over the coming days in Orlando. 
    Photo Credit: © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
    Matthew Lenz
    Aside from trade rumors, the Kansas City Royals have had a very quiet offseason to this point. With a variety of near replacement-level players ready to split outfield duties, the team is rumored to be interested in a trio of outfielder free agents.
    Jon Heyman of the NY Post is reporting that the Kansas City Royals have expressed interest in multiple outfielders, including Harrison Bader, Mike Yastrzemski, and Austin Hays. As of right now, Kyle Isbel and John Rave are penciled as the starting left and center fielders, respectively, according to FanGraphs Roster Resource.
    Bader, 32, enjoyed a bounce-back year in 2025, posting a .796 OPS with 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases. He was a positive contributor defensively, +5 Outs Above Average (OAA) across all three outfield positions. He's projected to earn $26 million over two years by MLBTR.
    Yastrzemski, who was traded to the Royals, also experienced a bounce-back in 2025. He posted a .736 OPS with 17 home runs and seven stolen bases, though he wasn't great in the field, posting a -3 OAA across all three outfield positions.
    Hays was a plus-hitter (105 wRC+), though he benefited from the extremely hitter-friendly confines of Great American Ballpark. He posted a .768 OPS with 18 home runs and seven stolen bases. Between both corner outfield positions, he posted +1 OAA and spent a fair amount of time as a designated hitter.
    Of the three, who would you like to see the Royals sign? Let us know in the comments!
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