The Kansas City Royals reportedly are hoping to make some additions to their outfield this offseason.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on Tuesday that the Royals “are evaluating the trade market for outfielders during this week’s GM Meetings,” and he named the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels as potential trade partners.
The Royals already bolstered their outfield depth when they acquired outfielder Kameron Misner from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday for a player to be named later or cash considerations on Monday. Misner appeared in 71 games last season and hit .213 with five home runs and 22 RBI. The deal represents a bit of a homecoming for the 27-year-old, as he grew up in in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and played college baseball at Mizzou.
Kansas City is likely to lean on promising rookie right fielder Jac Caglianone, who hit seven home runs in 62 games this year, but it will need further improvements around him if it hopes to contend for a playoff spot next season after going 82-80 in 2025.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan noted that top free-agent outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are unlikely to land with the Royals, but he named Trent Grisham and Mike Yastrzemski as viable targets. Yastrzemski hit nine homers for Kansas City after being acquired from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox and Angels are expected to be open for business this offseason as they try to re-establish themselves as contenders in the American League, so the Royals would be wise to explore which players those teams would be willing to give up this winter.