The Royals general manager J.J. Picollo has been drying ink so far in December, already making several player agreements and is eying one big potential trade.
The biggest signing so far came from a contract extension for star third baseman Maikel Garcia for five more years. The 25-year-old Venezuelan infielder is coming off of a breakout season, posting a .286 average, .800 OPS and showing improvement in every statistical batting mark from the previous season. Garcia’s efforts were rewarded with a 2025 All-Star appearance and a Gold Glove title.
The front office also decided to bring in some new faces, notably 29-year-old outfielder Lane Thomas from the Guardians organization. In the 2025 season, Thomas was serviceable at best, only tallying 39 games with a .160 average. This move on paper isn’t bringing the premium bat that was needed last season, but it brought a seasoned veteran who the Royals seem to have had recent good luck with, such as Randal Grichuk and Adam Frazier in last year’s campaign. Another December trade package for the Royals involved bringing in utility man Isaac Collins and RHP Nick Mears from the Brewers at the expense of LHP Angel Zerpa. The southpaw reliever Zerpa was a viable trade subject. He posted a 4.18 ERA and 58 strikeouts which was enough for Milwaukee to give away one of their top bullpen pieces in Mears who had a 3.49 ERA in the 2025 season.
So far, all the signings haven’t shown anything significant or extremely exciting, but fans and sports writers have caught wind of trade talks between the Red Sox and the Royals. These talks potentially involve a left handed ace pitcher for the Royals Cole Ragans for the much-needed outfielder the team needs, Jarren Duran. No deal has been made so far, as the Royals feel giving up their ace isn’t worth Duran’s value as a batter and fielder according to Ken Rosenthal.
Although Ragans missed a majority of the 2025 season due to injury, he performed well when healthy. The previous season, Ragans had an All-Star campaign, putting up a 3.14 ERA and striking out 223 batters. The front office is seemingly uninterested in giving away a pitcher who has proven his worth for a .256 average centerfielder in Duran. A reconsideration for a trade may need to be made, because a name like Jarren Duran would be a great addition to the mostly lousy Royals outfield. This move would also potentially get other teams interested in trading with Kansas City. For now, the options still stand, as both players are near their 30s and both are under club control for three more seasons.
As far as last season went, it was mostly disappointing, especially after watching a team who went to the divisional round in the playoffs the season before. The Royals need one little boost to get them back to where they were in a competitive AL Central climate. The team is sticking with familiar faces next season such as star Platinum Glove winning shortstop Bobby Witt Jr, veteran legend Salvador Perez, and young slugger Vinnie Pasquantino. There is also still hope in the development of first-round pick Jac Caglianone and expectations for him to see himself in the starting lineup after a shaky first year.
Another question that needs addressing is the availability of starting pitching after last season’s injury display within the starting five. Names like Kris Bubic, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Micheal Wacha sustained injuries that left them out of commission and forced the Royals to call upon the help of Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek from San Diego and Bailey Faltner from Pittsburgh. These pitchers were serviceable to the Royals at the end of the season with an inconsistent starting rotation being a big factor. The team also looks to rely on a strong bullpen featuring RHP Lucas Erceg and Mariano Rivera Award finalist RHP Carlos Estevez.
There are still many months until Spring Training and plenty of time for the Royals to land that one big name they really need. The team will be under some fire if they do not improve for next season and build a lineup they are confident in. The Royals front office has all the tools they need to start a winning team, but they are still looking for the missing puzzle piece that can potentially put them in the playoffs and establish themselves as a winning team.
