Royals Face Tough Roster Choice with Former All-Star Utility Player
The Kansas City Royals fell short of the playoffs in 2025, finishing the season 82-80 and landing third in the American League Central. While the pitching staff did its best to keep the team competitive, the offense ultimately came up short, and the Royals faded late in the season despite a few trade deadline additions.
Now, the front office has decisions to make heading into the offseason — particularly when it comes to their upcoming free agents. One notable name is Adam Frazier, a versatile veteran who rejoined Kansas City at the trade deadline.
Frazier Among Royals’ Notable Free Agents
As Jacob Milham of Kings of Kauffman points out, Frazier is among the team’s most significant free agents. After a lackluster 2024, Frazier began 2025 back with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he debuted in MLB. Though Pittsburgh wasn’t a contender, Frazier still held trade value, and Kansas City made a move to bring him back.
Surprisingly, he became one of the more productive players acquired at the deadline.
“Entering his age-34 season, Frazier is still working toward 10 years of MLB service, so another one-year deal may make the most sense,” Milham noted. In 2025, Frazier was on a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Frazier put together a solid season split between Pittsburgh and Kansas City, batting .267/.319/.365 with 7 home runs, 44 RBI, and a .684 OPS — a clear bounce back from his rough 2024 performance, where he slashed just .202/.282/.294 with 4 home runs and a .576 OPS.
His improved performance in 2025 could position him for a better deal this offseason.
Will the Royals Re-Sign Frazier or Look for More Power?
While Frazier brings consistency and versatility, the Royals may opt to pursue more power at the plate. Frazier’s career high in home runs is 13 (set in 2023), and he’s not typically known for slugging.
Still, with his veteran presence, strong contact skills, and relatively low price tag, Frazier could be a cost-effective option to help round out Kansas City’s lineup — especially if they plan to make other, bigger offensive upgrades elsewhere.
The Royals have a key decision to make: retain a dependable utility man in Frazier, or seek more offensive firepower in free agency.
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