The 2025 season was a bit of a disappointment for the Kansas City Royals. Just one season removed from reaching the American League Division Series, Kansas City finished the year 82-80 and missed the postseason.
The bright side of a down year for the Royals is their young core of excellent players. That includes superstar shortstop Bobby Witt, outfielder Jac Caglianone and star left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic. Reports on Monday, though, have indicated that Bubic may not be on the Opening Day roster if the correct trade offer hits the table.
According to Kansas City general manger J.J. Picollo, the organization is open to moving Bubic in return for major league outfield help.
"A lot of teams are looking for starting pitching, so if we have what they may be interested in, and they have an outfielder that would be of interest, then there’s potentially the opportunity to make a deal,” Picollo told the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.
Kansas City did rank 29th of 30 teams last season in Wins Above Average from its outfielders, so a move for outfield help certainly does make sense. It doesn't make sense, though, to trade an upcoming ace that has shown he's among the best left-handed pitchers in the game.
Over the past two seasons, Bubic has posted a sub-3.00 ERA, as well as tallying a career-high 116 strikeouts in 2025. Last season also saw Bubic selected to the first All-Star Game of his six-year career.
While adding outfield help in a weak and wide-open division may be the right choice for the Royals, the front office may want to consider a trade of veterans Seth Lugo or Michael Wacha rather than Bubic.
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