How Royals solidified offseason plans — and what they got out of Winter Meetings
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals pursued outfield help, lefty reliever, and several free agents in Orlando.
- Club ruled out trading Cole Ragans unless a massive return materializes.
- Royals will evaluate options, monitor outfield market, and wait on relievers.
The Kansas City Royals didn’t make significant news at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, this week.
They nonetheless made some important progress, according to general manager J.J. Picollo.
“A lot of communications with teams and a lot of communication with agents,” Picollo said Wednesday. “And that’s what we are here for. There’s progress. You have a better idea of where people stand, what might be happening and ideas that you once had going away. It just keeps rolling down the street, really. So it’s productive.”
The Royals are searching the majors for outfield help. They are linked to potential trade candidates in Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran and St. Louis Cardinals standout Brendan Donovan.
Those discussions are ongoing. Additionally, the Royals have a list of preferred free-agent targets.
Some of the reported names on that list include Austin Hays and Harrison Bader. Mike Yastrzemski, another name linked to KC, reportedly signed with the Braves Wednesday evening.
The Royals are also interested in acquiring a left-handed relief specialist. The ideal candidate for the pitcher’s role in the bullpen would be to face tough lefties in opposing lineups. Right now, Daniel Lynch IV and Angel Zerpa are KC’s only southpaw relievers.
Picollo confirmed the Royals have offers on the table. Now, they will wait to see if there are any takers.
“I’ll say that we are in a good spot in the sense that we’ve not lost out on anybody we had really great interest in,” Picollo said. “It’s just a matter of hanging in especially on the free-agent side.”
It’s also clear the Royals are unlikely to trade All-Star starting pitcher Cole Ragans. His name has appeared in potential trade rumors as KC continues its hunt for an impact bat.
The Royals won’t move Ragans unless it’s for a massive return. Ragans offers extreme value, is part of the club’s foundation and is still in his prime.
“It would be really difficult for us to trade Cole,” Picollo said Monday. “When you look at when Cole is right, he’s as good as anybody in the game. And it’s rare that you have an opportunity to have somebody like that. And we have him for three more years. …
“The reality is, if we didn’t have Cole Ragans in our rotation, we’d feel like we’re missing something really big.”
So what will the Royals do next?
In coming days, they will evaluate information Picollo and fellow club officials gathered at the Winter Meetings. More conversations between agents and opposing teams are likely, too.
It’s not uncommon for the Winter Meetings to be relatively devoid of Royals player-movement headlines. In 2023, the Royals had conversations surrounding pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Both players were prospective free agents and signed with the club in late December.
The Winter Meetings laid the groundwork for the Royals’ playoff run in 2024. It’s possible that a similar occurrence will happen later this offseason.
Here are three things to know as the Winter Meetings conclude:
Royals will remain active this offseason
The Royals will look for ways to improve their 40-man roster ahead of spring training. There are ample opportunities to find players who can help in 2026.
Most players elect to sign closer to the new season. That will afford the Royals a chance to continue building offers and evaluating the current landscape. For example, KC signed closer Carlos Estévez last February, and that worked out well as Estévez enjoyed an All-Star season and led the majors in saves.
It’s worth monitoring the outfield market, as well. There could be fast movement once the big names — such as Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger — sign new deals. And that point any number of teams could intensify their pursuit of available players.
This would benefit the Royals. A potential free agent could be willing to sign quickly once dominoes start falling.
As for potential trades, Picollo said he is still working the phones. The organization has interest in making a significant deal, but some complications have arisen. One of the biggest: comparing value between multiple teams and navigating toward a fair exchange for each side.
“I would say that the avenue to get where we want to go via trade is a little complicated,” Picollo said. “So, that’s just going to take time if it’s gonna happen.”
The relief market is already warm. Edwin Diaz shocked the baseball world by signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Now, teams could refocus on finding relievers, at least in the short term.
Expect the Royals to be patient while looking for a left-handed specialist. They return a solid bullpen and can afford to wait until the market stabilizes before considering a move.
Kris Bubic update
Starting pitcher Kris Bubic has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. Multiple teams have interest ... but some may be apprehensive as he recovers from a left rotator cuff strain.
The shoulder injury sidelined him last season. Bubic made the All-Star team but didn’t pitch down the stretch. While he didn’t require surgery, the Royals want to see him make a full recovery ahead of spring training.
On Monday, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Bubic is progressing well. He noted that Bubic is throwing again and will have a scheduled bullpen session in January.
“He’s throwing and everything has been great,” Quatraro said.
Bubic has one year of team control remaining. As the Royals evaluate their roster, he could be a key asset — either in the starting rotation or through a trade — if he returns to full health.
Salvy playing in Venezuela
There isn’t much baseball stateside at the current moment. However, Royals team captain Salvador Perez found a way to continue playing.
Perez suited up for Leones del Caracas this winter. It was a special decision as Perez honored his mom, Yilda Díaz, by playing for the club in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.
So far, Perez has done well.
The Royals icon made his debut last week. He already hit a home run and infused the offense in short order. He will continue to play for the team as he prepares for the World Baseball Classic in March.
“I think that’s what makes him who he is,” Quatraro said. “He loves the game, you know. And the passion for winter ball in Venezuela is remarkable. So now, this is his first year being with Caracas ... I know that’s a very big team there. You know, I worked there and understand the dynamic there. For a guy like Salvy to go play for a team like Caracas is as big as it gets in Venezuela. I think that’s really special and I’m happy that he is doing it.”
Perez was named Venezuela’s team captain in the WBC. He will guide the club in the global event which begins on March 4.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "How Royals solidified offseason plans — and what they got out of Winter Meetings."
