Two moves that have shaped the Royals’ offseason — and 2026 offense — so far
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals targeted Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins to improve outfield offense.
- Thomas brings right-handed power, elite lefty splits, speed and defensive versatility.
- Collins offers switch-hitting on-base skills, positional flexibility and baserunning.
The Kansas City Royals had a clear desire to improve their outfield productivity — alongside the overall depth — this offseason.
At the Winter Meetings, the Royals were linked to multiple free agents. The club had reported interest in MLB veterans such as Austin Hays, Mike Yastrzemski and Lane Thomas.
The Royals signed Thomas in mid-December. He will get a chance to play across the outfield and provides the Royals with another right-handed bat. Thomas brings added value with his ability to hit left-handed pitching.
In his career, Thomas owns a .292 batting average with an .859 OPS (on-base plus slugging) against southpaws. There are also power and speed elements. Thomas posted 28 homers, 86 RBIs and 20 steals with the Washington Nationals in 2023.
The Royals are hopeful Thomas can return to those numbers. Last season, he dealt with several injuries and underwent right foot surgery in September. He is expected to be ready for spring training as the Royals head to Surprise, Arizona.
“Lane was the right guy for us,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “We have a lot of belief in his abilities. We had a chance to see it firsthand when he was with Cleveland. Little unfortunate last year with some injuries, but we know the type of player that he is. When you think about our identity with guys that understand how to handle the bat, run the bases, play defense, he checks all those boxes for us.”
Thomas was one of the first dominoes. Later, the Royals acquired outfielder Isaac Collins in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Collins, 27, posted a .263 batting average with nine home runs, 54 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He also finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
In a similar way, Collins brings positional versatility. He can play across the diamond and projects as an on-base machine. Collins posted 22 doubles and three triples while logging a .368 on-base percentage.
The Royals expect to primarily use Collins in left field. He is a switch hitter who could also profile atop the lineup next season.
“He’s a player that we value,” Picollo said. “The versatility that we spoke about, the speed component, there’s a defensive component and there’s a ball-in-play and on-base component. So he is a very well-rounded player that I think is what our offense needs. I think he will fit really well.”
The Royals entered the offseason with a clear focus. As a result, Thomas and Collins represent a renewed approach to raise the team’s offensive floor.
With the new additions, the Royals can now generate more offense. The direct result should likely surround Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez with base runners and more opportunities to drive in runs.
Here’s a look at what Thomas and Collins bring to the table:
On-base savants
Last season, the Royals were at their best with key veterans like Yastrzemski and Adam Frazier in the middle of the lineup. They could work counts and get in advantageous situations to help the offense.
Yastrzemski hit nine home runs and posted an .839 OPS. He settled into the leadoff spot and was constantly on base for the heart of the lineup.
Conversely, Frazier helped lengthen the lineup. He posted a .283 batting average and was among hottest hitters down the stretch. In August, Frazier recorded 29 hits in 91 at-bats.
The Royals must replace that offensive production.
Thomas has provided professional at-bats throughout his career. He has hit well at each stop and boasts a career .309 on-base percentage. Expect Thomas to work deep counts and produce in clutch moments.
Last season, the Royals’ outfield ranked in the bottom half of the league in multiple offensive categories. The outfielders posted a .285 on-base percentage, which ranked 30th among all teams.
Collins will be counted on to improve those numbers. He posted 98 hits in 130 games with the Brewers and should get ample opportunities moving forward. Collins also did damage with runners in scoring position (RISP) with a .280 average and 47 RBIs in 120 plate appearances last season.
The Royals should get more consistency in their outfield in 2026. Collins has a chance to further develop under the new hitting coaches. Meanwhile, Thomas is primed to be a bounce-back candidate with a full season.
Lifting the bottom of the lineup
In previous seasons, the Royals struggled to get consistent production from the bottom of the lineup. It hindered the club during the 2024 postseason against the New York Yankees and was an issue last season.
The Royals should be able to field a more potent lineup in 2026. In addition to Collins and Thomas, the Royals also return their top-four offensive stars alongside Jac Caglianone, Carter Jensen and Jonathan India.
Caglianone enters his second season after a disappointing rookie campaign. He has ample power that must be harnessed at the big-league level. If he shows progress, the Royals will have another impact bat to surround their All-Star core.
The same is true for Jensen. He got off to a torrid start in September and hopes to continue it into the 2026 campaign. His ability to hit for average should only improve as he gets more at-bats against high-level pitching.
By adding Collins and Thomas, the Royals can tailor their lineup to take advantage of pitching matchup. Picollo was strategic in targeting players who can complement the returners for years to come.
Now, opposing pitchers will have to navigate the Royals’ lineup with precision. There aren’t multiple holes to exploit throughout a game.
It’s possible the Royals could further improve their offense with another move. The club is still linked to trade targets Jarren Duran and Brendan Donovan heading into the new year.
“We’re not in a position where we have to force anything,” Picollo said. “We like our team the way it is right now. If that opportunity comes along, we just have to weigh the pros and cons of it. But again, with Isaac being able to play multiple positions other than the outfield, it allows us to think freely about that and not be locked up to where we can’t think about those things.”
More speed on the field
One of the more underrated aspects of the Royals’ outfield additions is their speed.
Collins recorded 16 stolen bases while he scored 56 runs last season. Per Statcast, he recorded a 27.7 feet-per-second sprint speed and was proficient in taking the extra base when on the basepaths.
The Royals like to be aggressive with their baserunners. The club values the ability to advance first-to-third when the situation calls for it. Collins was safe on advances 31 times during the 2025 campaign with the Brewers.
“It’s just about being able to run the bases well and take the extra base,” Picollo said. “Push the envelope and make the outfield know there is some pressure on them to get the ball in.”
Thomas has 20 or more stolen bases in three of his last four seasons. He ranks in the 94th percentile with a 29.3 sprint speed, per Statcast. The Royals could pair Thomas alongside Witt, Garcia, Collins and Tyler Tolbert as guys with a high rate of steals.
“You go in and look back at some of the baserunning analytics that are out there, you know, Lane is an above-average baserunner and that’s always attractive to us,” Picollo said.
Blending both Thomas and Collins into the lineup should help the Royals compete in the AL Central. They bring a unique skill set that can elevate the entire offense while being a net positive for their teammates.
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Two moves that have shaped the Royals’ offseason — and 2026 offense — so far."
