By Jayson Henderson
As the baseball world gathers in Dallas for the Winter Meetings, the Kansas City Royals arrive with a solid start to their offseason but still have work to do. After re-signing Michael Wacha and trading for Jonathan India, the Royals aim to further bolster their roster ahead of the 2025 season.
Key Priorities Offensively, the Royals are focused on adding power to their lineup to complement core players Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. While India addresses the leadoff spot, the search continues for middle-of-the-lineup bats and bench depth.
Pitching remains another area of focus. With Wacha, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo leading the rotation, Kansas City may look to add depth, including a versatile arm that can transition between the bullpen and rotation. The Royals could also strengthen an already solid bullpen, which features closer Lucas Erceg.
Trade Possibilities The Royals have shown a willingness to trade from their depth, as demonstrated by dealing Brady Singer. Names like Maikel Garcia, Alec Marsh, and Daniel Lynch IV could be part of trade discussions, depending on the market.
Prospects to Watch Left-hander Noah Cameron, ranked No. 12 in the Royals’ farm system, is the closest pitching prospect to the majors and could compete for a rotation spot in spring training. Other notable prospects, including catcher Carter Jensen and pitchers Blake Wolters and Ben Kudrna, may draw interest from teams should Kansas City pursue trades.
Rule 5 Draft With three open spots on their 40-man roster, the Royals could take a chance in the Rule 5 Draft, though it’s not expected to be a priority. Players like Chandler Champlain and Tyler Tolbert remain unprotected, but their exposure has yet to draw outside interest in past drafts.
The Burning Question Where will the Royals find their next offensive upgrade? General Manager J.J. Picollo has expressed that the roster is not yet complete, leaving room for creativity in the pursuit of impact bats through either free agency or trade.
The Royals’ approach in Dallas will reveal how aggressive they are willing to be as they continue shaping their roster for the upcoming season.
