Royals failed to improve their roster around Bobby Witt Jr. this offseason

It's been a quiet offseason for the Kansas City Royals. Other than reportedly adding closer Carlos Estevez and trading Brady Singer, an inconsistent third starter, for Jonathan India, an inconsistent second baseman, it's been forgettable.

While India does offer strong on-base tendencies and will hopefully fill the drastic need at the top of the Royals' batting order, he doesn't do much for the shallow middle of the order. After shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., there is only an oft-injured first baseman, Vinnie Pasquantino, and an aging catcher, Salvador Perez. The talent drops off precipitously from there. 

Despite opportunities to improve the club's offense, the Royals have stood pat outside of the India deal. Cody Bellinger went to the Yankees in exchange for cash and right-hander Cody Poteet; Kansas City could have bettered that offer if it wanted to. 

Outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Anthony Santander were possibilities, but they signed elsewhere. Third baseman Alex Bregman is still available but seems outside the Royals' comfort zone regarding what he wants in years and dollars. 

The Royals seem content to run it back with essentially the same roster it had last season. It doesn't seem like the best plan. It's challenging to imagine Witt, as great as he is, producing more than he did in 2024. Perez continues to defy age, but he won't be able to do that forever. And how many games can the team count on from Pasquantino? He was an RBI machine until he went down in late August. 

According to Spotrac, the Royals' current payroll is $106.2 million (minus whatever Estevez's contract will be), with another $10 million projected before the season ends. Only three players make more than Witt's bargain basement salary of $7.7 million: Perez ($22 million), starting pitcher Michael Wacha ($18 million), and starting pitcher Seth Lugo ($15 million). 

It seemed like the Royals had room to add another bat to take advantage of Witt's still-low salary. With Wacha and Lugo under control for the next two years, it seemed the perfect time for the club to move outside their comfort zone on a more significant contract to give the offense some much-needed punch. Unfortunately, they didn't see the same opportunities. 

Kansas City doesn't have a lengthy window before Witt's salary explodes. He will make $13.7 million in 2026 and $19.7 million in 2027. After that, he is set to earn over $30 million annually for the rest of his time in Kansas City. It would have been great timing to take advantage of that now, with Wacha, Lugo and fireballer Cole Ragans anchoring the rotation.

It feels like the Royals had a chance to make a significant impact this offseason. Instead, they decided not to spend in free agency. This seems like a mistake because one big move might have made them the favorite in the competitive AL Central. Now, it seems like regression will be the key to the season. 

If Witt, Pasquantino and Perez can match last year's numbers, they might have a chance, but it doesn't seem very likely. Come October, the Royals might regret their passive complacency.