The clock is ticking on the offseason, but the Kansas City Royals have chosen to play it quiet—maybe a little too quiet. While other teams wheel and deal, the Royals have barely made a peep in the trade or free-agent markets, leaving some glaring holes unpatched. Fans were hoping for a late push, especially since owner John Sherman and GM J.J. Picollo themselves admitted these gaps exist. Yet, instead of taking charge, the Royals seem content watching the chessboard, waiting for others to make the first move.

However, with their owners acknowledging but not showing any proactiveness, the fans should check the team’s prospects to fill the loopholes. So who are the major players the Royals failed to pursue, and with the spring season about to start, are there any options left for the team?

The Royals swung for the fences on two key free agents—Jurickson Profar and Anthony Santander—but failed to land them. Both of these hitters were in free agency for a long time, and the Royals offered them a two-year and three-year deal, respectively. Profar, after lingering in free agency for a while, opted for the Braves, lured by a higher AAV. Santander? He took the Blue Jays’ long-term deal and never looked back. So, should the Royals be blamed for not stepping up with better offers? Maybe. Maybe not. The story isn’t over yet.

So who are their biggest hauls? Carlos Estevez and Michael Lorenzen—solid at their business but far from marquee names.

“It’s a little disappointing, but we can’t force teams to make trades they don’t want to make,” said Sherman, pointing out how the Royals have failed in trading a marquee outfielder from any team, citing the latter’s unwillingness. Even if this statement proved true, the prospects and farm system of the Royals should be questioned. Teams with better prospects could not face issues in landing a trading deal. Moreover, apart from the trading deals, there were outfielders available in free agency, but the Kansas City Royals were not in contention. Remember Cody Belinger’s journey from the Cubs to the Yankees? 

Options left for the Royals

It’s not the rival teams to be blamed for not getting better trading deals; rather, it is the most proactive teams who made the most noise this offseason. The offseason is about to end, and so is the narrowed list of free agents and trading partners available. The first option available for the Royals is the former Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who is available in free agency. Reportedly, the Astros are behind him, and it is the last chance for the Royals to make a deal for a proper outfielder. Verdugo is coming with 13 HRs and 61 RBIs from 2024 and within $15 million for one year. His hitting prowess and outfielder stats can be a good value addition for the Royals. 

For the unversed, the Royals still have a lot left to touch the luxury tax threshold, and offering $15 million can still be within it. Hence, financially, the Royals should not have any challenges, and now it is their desperation to go for Verdugo. What if Verdugo still cannot be landed? The players available with the team should be placed strategically. Jonathan India and Michael Massey are the best options for fielding, while Estevez and Lorenzen should move away to outfield. Only time will tell if this combination is proving successful or not. 

The clock hasn’t hit zero just yet—there’s still time for the Royals to pull off some last-minute magic. But will they? That’s the real question. Fans are crossing their fingers, hoping for action instead of watching their team sit back while rivals make the big moves.

What do you think of the Royals’ offseason strategy? Are they playing it smart or playing it too safe? Drop your thoughts below!