The free agent market still offers guys like Austin Hays, Harrison Bader, Rob Refsnyder, Mike Tauchman and even Cody Bellinger. For the right price, I’m fine with any of them. An issue I have with Bellinger and Bader is that I just think they are asking for too many years and too much money, though both would make the 2026 Royals better. The best fit of any players left remains Bo Bichette. His market hasn’t really materialized either, to the point that he’s publicly stating he’s willing to move to second.
I know they have Jonathan India at $8 million, but I’ve been told there is a market for him, though small, so there’s a chance they could move India. Bichette would be an ideal fit with his offensive approach. The only issue is that he’d cost the Royals their second-round pick, but they can at least mitigate the loss of the slot money for that with their lottery fortune. I’d do it. I don’t think they will.