While Heyman suggests the Royals are especially eager to add some right-handed help to the lineup, manager Matt Quatraro downplayed any desire for specific handedness in an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (video clip).
“Right-handed, left-handed – it’s who can give us the professional at-bats,” Quatraro said when asked about his team’s approach as it looks for upgrades this winter. “I don’t think it has to be one or the other. It’s about who wants to be there, who can give us the most benefit within the lineup to expand it.” Quatraro then called Bader a “great name” and a “first free agent this offseason” when asked specifically about Heyman’s report, but obviously sidestepped commenting on specific interests of his club.
Unsurprisingly, Rosenthal suggests the Royals don’t pursue top-end free agents, such as Kyle Tucker And Cody Bellingerboth of which will command nine-figure contracts that exceed Kansas City’s preferred price range. He also implies there is some reluctance to bet too heavily on rebound candidates, as the team will already be counting on meaningful contributions from young players at catcher. Carter Jensen and first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianon.
Bader is seeking a three-year deal in free agency, according to Rosenthal. Whether that proves to be too steep for the Royals remains to be seen, but the question is understandable after a great season. The 31-year-old posted a career-best .277/.347/.449 (122 wRC+) and also posted career highs in home runs (17), doubles (24) and strikeouts (501) in 146 games between the Twins and Phillies. Bader played more left field than normal out of respect Byron Buxton during his time with the Twins, but provided his usual brand of plus defense at both spots.
Outfielders of this ilk have generally failed to command three-year contracts in free agency, settling for two-year deals at best. Bader could be helped by a thin and frankly bleak market for center field help, though recent offseasons with a similar lack of options at the position haven’t seen an overpayment for the few credible candidates available.
Bader’s ability to secure a three-year contract (or lack thereof) will depend on whether teams buy the offensive breakout. There are reasons to be skeptical. Bader’s production was boosted by a huge .359 average on balls in play. Last year’s 27.1% strikeout rate, meanwhile, was his highest since 2020.
The increase in power and overall production is not really supported by an increase in batted ball quality; Bader’s average exit velocity of 80.2 mph is well below league average and exactly matches his mark from 2024 – a season in which he hit .236/.284/.373. Bader caught more balls than usual this season and had a slight uptick in hard hits, but the increase in whiffs and a career-high 45.7% groundball rate make it more than fair to wonder if he can sustain this type of offense.
Hays, 30, would be another right-wing signing, albeit one who has had a poorer season and is not an option in midfield at this stage of his career. He hit 15 home runs for the Reds in 2025, while hitting .266/.315/.453 overall (105 wRC+). As usual, a disproportionate amount of Hays’ production came against left-handed pitchers, whom he crushed at a .319/.400/.549 clip. Against righties, Hays compiled a tepid .249/.286/.422 output.
Overall, Hays was an excellent defensive left fielder. He does have some experience in center, but hasn’t played there since 2023 and has only 483 total big league innings at the position (compared to over 3,600 in left field and over 900 in right field). He has battled numerous injuries in recent seasons, including calf, hamstring and foot problems in 2025 and, much more worryingly, a serious kidney infection in 2024 that undermined every aspect of his game. Hays played on a one-year, $5 million contract in Cincinnati last season and is likely looking at another affordable one- or perhaps two-year deal in free agency.
The Royals’ 2026 payroll is projected to be $139 million, per RosterResource. That’s already significantly higher than the $126 million mark they opened the 2025 season with. They are within a few million dollars of the franchise record of $143 million – a milestone achieved under the late David Glass, who sold the club to current owner John Sherman in November 2019.
That number could change slightly depending on the type of outfielder the club targets via trade and whether they trade a somewhat established starter for said outfielder. Left-handed Kris Bubicfor example, has been the subject of trade talks and according to MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz, he will make $6 million next year. If he is traded and the return includes a pre-arbitration outfielder, the Royals would trim more than $5 million from the projected payroll.
However it takes shape, improving the outfield is the clear priority for Kansas City this winter. The Royals outfielders were by far the least productive group in Major League Baseball last year, hitting a combined .225/.285/.348. The resulting 73 wRC+ ranked last in the game. Kansas City’s 37 home runs from the outfield were the second-fewest of any team in the sport. None of the Royals’ best and/or most MLB-eligible prospects play naturally in the outfield. Caglianone is a first baseman who is learning right field thanks to the presence of Vinnie Pasquantino in its natural position. In addition to Bader and Hays, the Royals are also said to be interested in re-signing the deadline acquisition Mike Yastrzemski.
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