Why the Kansas City Royals were unable to acquire a key bat this offseason (and what lies ahead).
Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo responds to questions from the media during a press conference at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday in Kansas City.
It’s clear that the Kansas City Royals were aiming to add more offensive power to their lineup this offseason.
The Royals explored both the free-agent and trade markets, seeking a bat to complement top hitters like Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. The team reportedly showed interest in free-agent outfielders Anthony Santander and Jurickson Profar, among others.
Santander ended up agreeing to a five-year, $92.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, while Profar signed a three-year contract worth $42 million with the Atlanta Braves.
Ultimately, the Royals shifted their focus to bolstering their bullpen. On Friday, the team signed right-handed reliever Carlos Estévez to a two-year deal with a club option for 2027. Estévez joins a revamped relief corps that also features returning players Lucas Erceg, John Schreiber, and Hunter Harvey.