The Kansas City Royals hoped to continue their unexpected playoff run in 2024.
Despite efforts to improve the lineup this offseason, the Royals entered 2025 hoping their pitching staff would be good enough to overcome their offensive shortcomings. Despite hovering in the playoff race, the Royals’ offense wasn’t good enough for a return to the postseason.
After posting back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since competing in the World Series in 2014 and 2015, the Royals are looking to return to the postseason. The AL Central, while competitive, is within reach. If the Royals can find the missing pieces, a return to the playoffs in 2026 is possible. Let’s take a look at the three questions facing the Royals this season.
Three questions for the Kansas City Royals heading into the offseason
1. Is Maikel Garcia’s breakout season sustainable?
The Royals needed someone who would be a solid complement to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Garcia was that player. The 25-year-old infielder posted a career-best batting line of .282/.351/.484 in 666 plate appearances, hitting 16 home runs and 39 doubles while stealing 23 bases.
Garcia’s performance may be just the beginning. He hit more fly balls and pulled the ball more often than before. Garcia continued to do that make excellent contact with a heavy hit rate of 45.2% and an average exit velocity of 90.6 MPH. Since his .308 batting average on balls in play is in line with his career numbers, the Royals may still have a solid bat for the middle of the lineup.
2. Can the Royals lure an outfielder to Kansas City?
The outfield was a weak point entering the 2025 season. That group proved to be the team’s Achilles heel, as the Royals outfielders were the Achilles heel least productive in the main subjectswith a disappointing .219/.283/.334 batting line with 39 home runs and 85 doubles over 2,157 plate appearances.
The Royals can improve organically. Right fielder Jac Caglianone crushed minor league pitching but struggled in Kansas City, posting a .157/.237/.295 batting line with seven home runs and six doubles in 232 plate appearances. Since the Royals like Kyle Isbel’s defense, there is room for another outfielder. A free agent like Cedric Mullins or Trent Grisham could be what the Royals need.
3. What to do with Carlos Estevez?
Estevez proved to be a steal in his first season with the Royals, posting a 2.45 ERA and a 1.061 WHiP over 66 innings while recording a Major League record 44 saves. However, trade rumors swirled around the 2025 trade deadline as the Royals looked to improve their lineup.
Those rumors could start again this offseason. Estevez is under team control until 2027 as he has a team-friendly $13 million option with a $2 million buyout. If the Royals can’t upgrade their lineup during free agency, Estevez could potentially bring back the needed bat as a trade chip.
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