If fans think trying to predict what team will sign what free agent is a futile experiment, that sentiment has to apply exponentially to minor-league free agents. <\/p>\n
No Kansas City Royals fan had the team adding Taylor Clarke on their bingo card, not to mention players like Jorge Alfaro<\/a>, Abraham Toro, or Josh Rojas this offseason<\/a>. <\/p>\n The overall organizational depth and prospect pipeline can affect what teams prioritize in these lottery ticket additions, but at the end of the day, someone has to play in Triple-A and Double-A, even if it is former big-league players.<\/p>\n Kansas City does still have some room to add in the minor-league ranks, especially after several Omaha regulars left in free agency. Who are some fliers Kansas City could take, and why should they?<\/p>\n 3 more veteran names Royals should take a minor league flier on for 2026C Reese McGuire<\/p>\n The Royals already added a catcher on a minor-league deal, but if they do not trust Luca Tresh to take a big-league step forward<\/a>, then another addition may be in in order. <\/p>\n Enter Reese McGuire, one of the league’s most underrated fielding catchers in 2025. <\/p>\n ABS may dampen the effect of framing balls and strikes, but it will not erase it completely and McGuire was one of the league’s best at stealing strikes<\/a>. His 3 Framing Runs were in the 80th percentile last year in a part-time role with the Chicago Cubs. Add in he moves well behind the plate and has a solid arm. he brings some major-league tools to the table.<\/p>\n As one of the more well-known catchers left remaining on the free agent market, it is uncertain if McGuire would take a minor-league deal. Kansas City’s outlook is not too enticing, especially with an entrenched starter in Salvador Perez and a prospect pushing to take playing time from him in Carter Jensen. <\/p>\n But, Kansas City is positioning to be a competitive team in 2026 and that has an allure to players too. The Royals could give McGuire a chance to keep playing in Triple-A Omaha with little competition, while also keeping the door cracked for a big-league return.<\/p>\n 3B Emmanuel Rivera<\/p>\n If you remember the starting days of third baseman Emmanual Rivera, chances are you watched a lot of losing Royals baseball. <\/p>\n