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2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Kansas City Royals

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 6:19 PM ET

The Kansas City Royals struggled to generate offense outside of the “big three,” a reason the team failed to make the playoffs in 2025. Depth in that regard was a major focus for the Royals, as several new outfielders joined the club for the 2026 season.

Additions

If there have been two key weaknesses in the Royals’ lineup over the past few seasons, it’s been either A) in the outfield or B) at the top of the lineup. Kansas City sought to address both in the winter.

The Royals traded lefty Angel Zerpa to acquire Isaac Collins and Nick Mears from the Brewers. That move not only gave the Royals a different look in the bullpen with Mears but also Collins, a switch-hitting outfielder who posted a .368 on-base percentage and one of the top 25 walk rates in the Majors last season.

Collins is tentatively set up to try to fill in as the leadoff man for the Royals, a spot where Jonathan India didn’t have that much success last season. Given how important it is for Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino to have a runner on when at the plate, Collins has the opportunity to play a major role for KC in 2026.

Matt Strahm was acquired from the Phillies, essentially filling Zerpa’s role in the Royals’ bullpen. Like Zerpa, Strahm is a left-hander but a different kind of reliever. Rather than a simple two-seam/four-seam/slider setup, Strahm has a more diverse pitch arsenal. And, it was incredibly effective as a Phillie.

As for the outfield, the Royals signed former Guardian Lane Thomas in December.

Thomas has a quick bat and can hit for power, as the ex-National was able to do so both in Washington and Cleveland. He’s also a good inside-ball hitter. However, last season, Thomas had a lot of strikeout problems and, more importantly, was not able to stay healthy.

Image via New Baseball Media

Kameron Misner has an interesting blend of speed and power. However, he is a big swinger and consistently had trouble making contact both in the Minors and the Majors. Kansas City acquired him from the Rays in November.

Starling Marte, who signed just before the start of March, also had his own injury problems. Marte played fewer than 100 games in each of the last three seasons with the Mets.

All of those players will likely figure into the outfield equation in 2026. The Royals have a potential superstar in Jac Caglianone, who moved from first to the outfield last season. However, he had a rough 2025 to say the least.

Losses

Mike Yastrzemski was one of the most productive hitters for the Royals over the second half after he was acquired in a midseason trade. He’s no longer with the team, as Yastrzemski signed a multi-year deal with the Braves.

Yastrzemski was arguably the most notable loss over the winter for the Royals. Kansas City lost some other notable players, including Zerpa and Bowlan, the latter of whom was used to get Strahm.

MJ Melendez, a former top prospect with the Royals, struggled to hit at the MLB level. Melendez was non-tendered along with Taylor Clarke, now with the Diamondbacks, and signed with the Mets in February.

Hunter Harvey, who missed most of last year due to injury, signed with the Cubs.

Overview

Despite rumors that Kris Bubic may have been on the block, the Royals maintained their rotation and the core of their team as a whole.

Kansas City missed the playoffs last season and will obviously look for better health in 2026. The Royals’ rotation is very deep, thanks to the likes of Bubic, Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Noah Cameron, and Michael Wacha.

However, if 2025 was any indication, that depth can be tested fast.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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