Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have a pressing need for more offense. To make a deeper run into October in 2025, Kansas City needs more power, and they would be best served chasing a slugger. Fortunately, the free agent market is full of sluggers, and there is still time for the Royals to open up their pocketbooks and land a big fish to strengthen their ballclub. Anthony Santander, who was an All-Star for the first time this year, is still available.

Kansas City Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. married his high school sweetheart, Maggie Black, on Dec. 14 in Dallas, Texas. The two had a star-studded wedding, complete with several of Witt Jr.'s teammates from the Royals, but it also featured an incredible reception that tied in the couple's past. The duo was evidently fans of the "Whataburger" chain growing up in Texas, so they had a "Wittaburger" built for them at the reception. It was a banner year all-around for the 24-year-old Witt Jr., who in addition to getting married, also hit .332 to win the American League batting title.

Could the Kansas City Royals seek a reunion with free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen under very different circumstances? Lorenzen had a typical journeyman season with the Texas Rangers, who signed him to a $4.5 million contract, then the Royals, who traded for him in July. Major League Baseball has helped cater to Ohtani's incredible talents by changing rules that prevented two-way players from making the biggest possible impact.

The Kansas City Royals need to find a way to bolster their bullpen, as it was one of a few areas of the club that held them back in 2025. Max Rieper of Royals Review listed right-hander Colin Rea as somebody who the Royals could potentially take a chance on this offseason. Rea made his Major League debut with the San Diego Padres in 2015 and was with the team in 2016 for two separate stints.

The Los Angeles Angels signed Sebastian Rivero to a minor-league contract this week, according to Chris Harris of the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. Rivero, 26, struggled offensively in 2024, posting a .186/.239/.249 slash line over 75 games split between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett in the Atlanta Braves' system.

Right-hander Kyle Wright and the Kansas City Royals agreed Tuesday to a $1.8 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Wright will make the same salary he did last season, which he spent recovering from shoulder surgery. The Royals knew he would not pitch in 2024 when they acquired him in a trade with Atlanta, but they were willing to let him fully rehab his shoulder with an eye on putting him into the rotation for 2025. Wright went 21-5 with a 3.19 ERA with the Braves in 2022, his last full season before the injury.

Is there any chance that the Kansas City Royals will still pursue a big-name free agent this winter? The Royals are known to be shopping for a big bat in the middle of their order, but most expect them to do so via trade, rather than in free agency. There was a confounding report from the New York Post's Jon Heyman earlier this offseason that the Royals looked into the possibility fo signing Juan Soto, the 26-year-old mega-star who just signed with the New York Mets for a record-setting $765 million deal. How serious the Royals were about pursuing Soto is highly questionable, but perhaps they're more willing to spend big (for the right player) than most are thinking.

The hot stove has cooled off of late for the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City was one of the busiest teams early this offseason, re-signing starting pitcher Michael Wacha and trading for second baseman Jonathan India.

The Kansas City Royals have had a quiet couple of weeks since making their most recent move. India certainly improves the outlook of the lineup, but more needs to be done. Minnesota Twins veteran Max Kepler is a free agent and is ranked among the top remaining ones by The Athletic.

Is the big trade still forthcoming for the Kansas City Royals? The Royals made one blockbuster acquisition already this winter, nabbing Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds to be their new leadoff hitter. Corner outfield was a black hole for Kansas City in 2024, an inexcusable blemish for any lineup that hopes to compete for championships. If they hope to go deeper into the playoffs moving forward, the Royals will likely have to scrounge up another trade package to land a formidable corner outfield bat.

The Cleveland Guardians have had a very busy offseason over the last week. After that, they pulled off a couple of trades that ended up bringing in a young and electrifying pitcher in Luis Ortiz. Now, the Guardians are being urged to make one more move to solidify their rotation completely. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report is urging Cleveland to sign Kansas City Royals' free agent starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen.

The Tampa Bay Rays signed left-handed pitcher Jake Brentz to a minor league contract on Dec. 7, according to the team's official transaction log. Brentz, 30, hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2022. Tommy John surgery ended his season prematurely that year, while a left lat strain knocked him out down the stretch in 2023. The Rays have presumably invited Brentz to major league Spring Training camp as part of his new deal.

Bobby Witt Jr. didn’t win MVP honors, but he did earn an MLB-best $3 million-plus bonus for the 2024 season. Here’s how.

The Athletics, regardless of where the team calls home, have struggled with starting pitching in recent seasons. Now, in all honesty, the A's possess all three and should use them to craft something substantial. Mason Barnett could factor in to the Athletics revival. The Royals drafted Barnett with the eighty-seventh overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, spending a $697,000 bonus to secure his signature.

He spent the past three seasons as the pitching coach in Arizona.

Al Fitzmorris was a member of the 1969 expansion Royals.

The Kansas City Royals announced Tuesday they have a reached an agreement with Diamond Sports Group to continue broadcasting their games next season. The Royals are one of four Major League Baseball franchises that are part owners of their regional sports network. Games will air on FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City.

Here’s when the reception and banquet will be held in 2025.

The Royals and Reds are both trading from positions of depth here.