Back to Kansas City? Four Free Agents Whose Return Could Make Sense

We are nearing the end of January, which means that we're nearing the end of the offseason. There are 19 days until Royals pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Arizona. Thus, Royals GM JJ Picollo is finalizing the roster, ensuring that Kansas City is best equipped in preparation for the upcoming 2026 campaign.

Right now, it seems like the Royals' roster is near completion, and it's unlikely that any major moves will occur this offseason. Ken Rosenthal reported that it was unlikely to land Boston's Jarren Duran or St. Louis' Brendan Donovan, who were both rumored as trade targets for the Royals earlier this offseason. Thus, if the Royals do add another player to the roster, it will likely be a low-cost player, whether through free agency or trade.

That said, Kansas City could benefit from adding another bat to this roster, just to give them some depth off the bench. According to Roster Resource, the Royals are projected to have a starting outfield of Isaac Collins (LF), Kyle Isbel (CF), and Jac Caglianone (RF) with Lane Thomas, Nick Loftin, Michael Massey, and Tyler Tolbert coming off the bench. That's not a bad group, but Kansas City could benefit from having another veteran or two to solidify the lineup.

Thankfully, there are still targets available, including those with familiarity with the Royals' roster, clubhouse, and manager Matt Quatraro. That experience with the organization could mean a smoother transition, and thus, more production in 2026.

In this post, I will look at four players who have suited up for the Royals in the past couple of years who could make sense for Kansas City on short-term, low-cost deals for the upcoming season. 

(Statcast season summary cards courtesy of TJ Stats.)

Adam Frazier, UT (Last Played With Royals: 2025)

Statistically, Frazier didn't have a great 2024 with the Royals, as he posted a 65 wRC+ and -0.5 fWAR in 294 plate appearances. Nonetheless, he brought some intangibles to the clubhouse, as the Royals experienced a 30-win turnaround from 2023 to 2024. Was Frazier responsible for the majority of that? Of course not, but he definitely brought professionalism and experience that the Royals lacked the previous season.

The Pirates jumped on him last offseason, signing him to a one-year deal. However, Frazier didn't have the same impact in Pittsburgh as the Pirates went 71-91. As a result, the then-33-year-old utility player was traded to Kansas City at the All-Star Break for Cam Devanney.

Frazier's return to Kansas City was a huge boost to the Royals' lineup. He posted a 98 wRC+ and 0.6 fWAR in 197 plate appearances, and the Royals went 35-30 in the second half (after going 47-50 prior to the All-Star Break). Overall, Frazier posted an 89 wRC+ and 0.7 fWAR in 459 plate appearances with Pittsburgh and Kansas City last year. Hence, he showed that he still has something left in the tank, especially for a team with playoff aspirations.

It's been surprising to see Frazier go this long without being picked up by another MLB team, especially since teams are always looking for guys who can positively affect a clubhouse (which Frazier has done for multiple clubs in the past). However, that could work in the Royals' favor, as it could encourage him to agree to a cheap $1 million deal or perhaps a Minor League one with the opportunity to earn a roster spot in Spring Training. Frazier would displace someone like Loftin, who is younger, has more upside, but a less proven track record at the Major League level. 

Tommy Pham, OF (Last Played With Royals: 2024)

Speaking of players who played with the Pirates last year, Pham is another outfield option who remains unsigned. The 37-year-old was expected to be a trade target at the Trade Deadline last year, but he ended up staying put in Pittsburgh. It was the first time Pham had spent an entire season with a single team since 2021 (with San Diego). 

Pham held his own with the Pirates, especially at the plate. In 449 plate appearances, he hit 10 home runs, collected 52 RBI, and posted a 94 wRC+. He also posted a 0.53 BB/K ratio and had a .318 xwOBA, a sign that he could've been even better in a more hitter-friendly home ballpark. The main issue with Pham last year was his defense, as he sported a -3 OAA and -4 FRV in the outfield.

The former Cardinals draft pick has long been a prickly personality, which explains why he's been on so many teams. Even this offseason, he's gone on a bit of a crusade against "advanced metrics", coining his own "metric" called PhamGraphs, which he believes is a better measure of player success (if that sounds weird, it's because it totally is). 

Pham has "eccentric" viewpoints, to put it nicely, whether it's on statistics, competing, or fantasy football. Putting that all aside, though, he does sport a skill that the Royals have valued this offseason from hitters: he doesn't chase. 

According to Statcast percentiles, his O-Swing% ranked in the 94th percentile, and his whiff rate and Z-Contact rate ranked in the 61st and 60th percentiles, respectively. In addition to a good eye at the plate, he hit the ball hard last year as well, as evidenced by a 74th percentile hard-hit rate and 85th percentile average exit velocity. 

The Royals interestingly didn't bring back Pham last year, even though he was a key player for them down the stretch and in the postseason in 2024. He may not be the easiest teammate to understand. That said, if the Royals are looking for a platoon bat (121 career wRC+ against lefties) who can play all three positions in the outfield, Pham fits the bill perfectly. 

Randal Grichuk, OF (Last Played With Royals: 2025)

The Royals targeted Grichuk last offseason, but he ended up signing a one-year deal to return to Arizona. However, the Diamondbacks played themselves out of playoff contention, and the Royals were able to acquire him in exchange for reliever Andrew Hoffmann around the Trade Deadline. 

Unfortunately, Grichuk failed to secure a roster spot with the Kansas City Royals.

In 43 games and 105 plate appearances, Grichuk posted a 56 wRC+ and -0.4 fWAR. He struggled defensively in Kauffman's spacious dimensions, and he didn't hit nearly enough to earn regular playing time with the Royals. The Royals held a mutual option for 2026 with Grichuk, but they opted out, paying the $3 million buyout. 

The 34-year-old outfielder remains unsigned, and it seems unlikely that Grichuk will get more than a Minor League deal from a team this offseason, due to his career splits (118 wRC+ against lefties; 93 wRC+ against righties) and limited defensive ability. That said, his metrics show that he was much better than his overall stats demonstrated last year. Despite an 82 wRC+ in 2025 with Arizona and Kansas City, he ranked in the 91st percentile in average exit velocity, 86th percentile in hard-hit rate, and 73rd percentile in barrel rate. As a result, his .348 xwOBA was 59 points higher than his actual wOBA in 2025.

Thus, Grichuk could see some positive regression in 2026, especially with Kauffman Stadium's new park dimensions. When looking at his spray chart from last year, modified to Target Field, which would be similar to the new Kauffman dimensions, Grichuk would've picked up a few more home runs a season ago.

I am not sure if Grichuk would be willing to come back, especially after declining the mutual option and having inconsistent playing time down the stretch. That said, he may be convinced to return to Kansas City if he were guaranteed more playing time, even if it is in a strictly platoon role.

MJ Melendez, OF (Last Played With the Royals: 2025)

I saved this one for last, as I know some Royals fans would be outraged with the idea. After all, Melendez was awful at the MLB level last year with a -14 wRC+ and -0.6 fWAR in only 65 plate appearances. That's a concentrated level of bad. Furthermore, his Royals tenure wasn't all that great overall, as illustrated by a career -1.1 fWAR and an 88 wRC+ in 1,652 plate appearances.

However, Melendez could be an interesting fit as a Minor League asset who could be trade bait later in the season. 

First off, the hard-hit metrics have always been there for Melendez. He has a career 91.7 MPH average exit velocity, 10.1% career barrel rate, and 46.2% career hard-hit rate. Those are pretty elite marks, even for a hitter with as much plate discipline (0.38 career BB/K ratio) and contact issues (71.6% career contact rate) as Melendez. He also did much better once he went back to his old swing in Omaha, as illustrated by his TJ Stats Statcast summary with the Storm Chasers a season ago.

Second, I think Melendez could respond more effectively to the new hitting instruction within the organization. Gone is Drew Saylor, and in his place is a two-headed effort with Nic Jackson taking control of Upper Minors hitting development and Abrahan Nunez in charge of the Lower Minors portion.

Thus, the Royals could allow Melendez to make adjustments and focus solely on recouping much of the value he lost in the past season. He won't play at all in the Majors with the Royals, nor should he at this point in his career. However, if he can get hot and show some progress in contact ability, he could net the Royals a mid or lower level prospect mid-season, especially for a team that may be desperate for offensive production in the outfield. 

It seems unlikely that Melendez will get another chance with another organization, even on a Minor League deal. However, the Royals could take a chance on their former second-round pick in 2026. He would give them the guaranteed production they need in Omaha (I would rather have him in the outfield than Drew Waters) while being a lottery pick who could generate some low-level trade value they may not get from other Triple-A outfielders.