The Kansas City Royals finished 82–80 in 2025 — perfectly average. Good enough to hang around. Not good enough to matter. The Royals have a legit star in Bobby Witt Jr. And a giant left-handed power bat in Jac Caglianone, who looks like he was built in a “create-a-slugger” video game. They have pitching depth most small-market clubs would kill for. What they don’t have is a roster that scares anyone over 162 games.
This winter has to start changing that.
1. Add a real bat so Witt doesn’t have to be Superman nightly.
Kansas City didn’t hit enough to pretend they were a playoff threat. Even with Witt playing like a franchise cornerstone, they finished in the bottom third in homers and runs scored. Vinnie Pasquantino can mash, Salvador Perez still brings veteran presence, but neither should be asked to carry the middle of the order at this stage. Caglianone is coming, and the power is real, but he’s still learning the league and the strike zone. They need one more proven masher, at corner outfield or first base, who can hit behind Witt and allow Caglianone to develop without the weight of an entire fan base on his shoulders.
2. Clean up the outfield roulette wheel.
The Royals have had five years straight of “Is this the outfield? No? How about this?” Kyle Isbel can really defend. Kameron Misner could be something. Caglianone might settle into right. Great. But this can’t be the full plan. They non-tendered MJ Melendez and are openly exploring outfield upgrades with pitching as trade bait. Either ride with the athletic kids or go get someone who has done this before, but make a decision. And if they land Jarren Duran or a similar top-of-order disruptor? Suddenly, this lineup looks a lot more like a team leaning forward than one holding on.
3. Deal from rotation depth — but only if the return actually moves the needle.
Kansas City finally has real pitching depth. Cole Ragans gives them a frontline vibe. They’ve stacked enough credible arms behind him that they can have a real conversation about flipping one for a bat. That’s a strength, as long as they don’t get reckless. If a controllable starter goes out the door, the player coming back better be someone who starts postseason games, not a “gee-maybe-he-figures-it-out” project. Raise the ceiling, don’t poke new holes.
