Kansas City Royals news: The Royals could add two outfielders

Jaylon Thompson writes about what the Royals could do at the Winter Meetings.

The Royals will shop both the free-agent and trade aisles. They are positioned as strong buyers given their surplus of starting pitching. KC has solid trade chips — mainly Kris Bubic and Noah Cameron — who could fetch an impact bat.

The question is whether the Royals can pull off a blockbuster trade. Multiple teams are aware of Royals general manager J.J. Picollo’s willingness to swing a deal. However, the Royals will not give away their pitching depth without a good return.

In recent weeks, the Royals have been mentioned in multiple trade rumors. Reports have pinned the Royals as potential suitors for Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran and St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan.

Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic writes about what the Royals could do. [$]

The Kansas City Royals are mulling a long list of potential upgrades for their outfield. They are not pursuing the most expensive options, Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger. They might also be priced out of the top player on the next tier of free agents, Harrison Bader, who is said to be expecting a three-year deal.

The market, though, includes numerous other possibilities.

The Royals’ preference, according to people briefed on their discussions, is to add two outfielders, one through free agency and the other through trade. They are willing to deal a starting pitcher, with perhaps the most logical candidate being lefty Kris Bubic, who is projected to earn $6 million in his final year of arbitration before free agency.

Among free agents, a reunion with Mike Yastrzemski is one avenue the Royals are exploring. Adolis García, Max Kepler and Mike Tauchman are among the other free agents they could pursue, along with bounceback candidates Lane Thomas and JJ Bleday.

MLB.com lists each team’s biggest need going into the Winter Meetings.

Royals: Offense
The Royals are keen on upgrading their offense for 2026, either with an impact bat for the middle of their order or with reliable and proven depth down at the bottom. The outfield is the likely path for an addition, as the Royals’ outfield has been among the least productive in the Majors for several years. But Kansas City could also find some help with a versatile player who can bounce between the infield and outfield. It’s time for the Royals to find the pieces that can help their core group of hitters take the next step as an offense.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes about the suitors for Brendan Donovan.

Donovan, the Cardinals’ lone All-Star this past season and a versatile fielder with a knack for contact, has drawn interest from the Royals, Astros, Dodgers, Yankees, Guardians, and others, per sources. The Seattle Times reported this past week that the Mariners have some interest in Donovan. Most aspiring contenders do. The Cardinals have devoted time in recent weeks to reviewing their evaluations and analytics from players on interested teams. The Cardinals seek pitching. Even after adding potential starter Richard Fitts and rising prospect Brandon Clarke in the Gray deal, they crave it. The Royals’ front office, for example, has expressed a willingness to trade from its depth of starters. The Cardinals have had interest before in Noah Cameron, a lefty.

Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman writes the Royals should not pursue Luis Robert Jr.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep wants them to sign free agent Rob Refsnyder.

The Mariners acquire reliever Jose Ferrer for former top catching prospect Harry Ford.

The Mariners and Pirates are reportedly interested in Ketel Marte.

The Pirates reportedly made a four-year, $100 million offer to Kyle Schwarber.

If the Blue Jays sign Kyle Tucker, that could drive Bo Bichette to the Red Sox.

Toronto parts ways with reliever Yariel Rodriguez.

The Cubs are interested in slugger Eugenio Suarez.

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