3 Big Names the KC Royals Need to Avoid at All Costs This Offseason
The Kansas City Royals have entered a crucial phase of their rebuild. After a promising 2023 season, in which they were able to take meaningful steps toward re-establishing themselves as a competitive franchise, the Royals have opened their latest contention window. Now, they face the hard task of building a roster capable of contending for the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
In the offseason, Kansas City has already added Michael Wacha, a veteran right-hander, to bolster their starting rotation. With Wacha in the fold alongside established pieces like Salvador Perez, Seth Lugo, and Hunter Renfroe, the Royals have made some moves to strengthen their core. However, the roster still requires a good deal of work, especially when considering that much of the payroll is already tied up in these established players. For the Royals to truly capitalize on their renewed playoff window, they will need to make smart decisions in terms of their offseason acquisitions.
With the payroll limitations that come with being a smaller market team, the Royals cannot afford to make costly mistakes. That means they have to target players who will deliver consistent value and avoid signing players whose performances are clouded with risk. The Royals simply don’t have the financial flexibility to make high-risk, high-reward signings that could come back to haunt them with a bad contract or underperformance. As MLB Trade Rumors points out, there are several big names potentially available this winter that could be tempting for the Royals, but there are some who are simply not worth the investment.
Here are three players the Royals should avoid at all costs this offseason:
Yusei Kikuchi
Yusei Kikuchi is a name that might fly under the radar for some Royals fans, but he’s a player that carries significant risk, particularly for a team like the Royals that needs to be cautious with its resources. While the Royals haven’t been directly linked to Kikuchi this offseason (at least not yet), the left-hander’s potential availability could catch their eye. After all, Kikuchi has had flashes of brilliance throughout his career, and with a strong finish to the 2024 season, he’s likely to draw interest from a number of clubs, Kansas City included.
However, the Royals would be wise to steer clear of Kikuchi for several reasons. While Kikuchi showed improvement after being traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros during the 2024 trade deadline, his overall body of work is filled with inconsistency. In fact, before his 10-start stretch with the Astros, Kikuchi had only once been an above-average pitcher by ERA+ during his six years in the big leagues, when he posted a 3.86 ERA and 111 ERA+ in 2023. Aside from that, his other seasons have been marked by below-average production, with several years of ERAs well over 4.00.
The Royals might be tempted by the fact that Kikuchi posted solid numbers with Houston, but the Astros have long been known for their ability to get the best out of pitchers. That’s not necessarily something Kansas City can replicate, and without the same support system, there’s no guarantee that Kikuchi will continue his strong form in 2025 and beyond. The risk is simply too high, especially when considering that Kikuchi’s track record suggests he’s more likely to regress than to sustain this recent success. For a team like the Royals, who need stability and consistency, Kikuchi doesn’t present the type of upside they can rely on.
Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Profar is another player who will likely be on the Royals’ radar, given his breakout 2024 season. The 31-year-old switch-hitting outfielder enjoyed his best year at the plate, earning an All-Star selection and putting up impressive numbers across the board. Profar finished the season with a .280 batting average, 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and a .868 OPS, all career highs. He was undeniably one of the most productive players on a Padres team that otherwise struggled in 2024.
However, despite his strong season, there are significant concerns that make Profar a risky investment for the Royals. The biggest issue with Profar is his history of inconsistency. While he had a fantastic 2024 campaign, that was only his second year of real production in his entire career. Prior to that, Profar was largely known for underperforming relative to expectations, as he dealt with injuries and long stretches of mediocrity. His 2024 breakout might be viewed as the culmination of his talent, but given his lengthy track record of inconsistency, it’s hard to believe he will suddenly sustain elite-level production moving forward.
The other concern with Profar is his injury history. Over the course of his 11-year MLB career, Profar has missed significant time due to injuries, which raises red flags about his long-term durability. Even this past season, he missed time with some nagging injuries, which are a concern for any team looking to invest in a long-term deal for him.
Given his age, the Royals would need to be extremely cautious about offering him a multi-year contract, and it’s difficult to imagine them doing so after a career characterized by ups and downs. Profar would be better suited for a one-year, prove-it deal, but there’s no way to guarantee that he would sign on for something like that. In a market where multiple teams will be vying for his services, the Royals are better off passing on Profar, especially if it means locking him into a long-term contract.
Anthony Santander
Anthony Santander is likely to be one of the more highly sought-after free agents this offseason, given his impressive power numbers in 2024. The switch-hitting outfielder, who has spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, hit 44 home runs and drove in 102 RBIs while posting an OPS of .858 this season. Santander has established himself as one of the premier power hitters in the American League, and his production has been consistent over the past few seasons.
However, the Royals should avoid Santander, despite his gaudy numbers, for several key reasons. First, Santander will likely command a hefty contract, one that would tie up a significant portion of the Royals’ payroll. While his power is undeniable, his game has significant limitations, particularly in terms of his ability to get on base. Santander has never been a great on-base guy, and his walk rate remains low, which limits his overall value. Despite his impressive home run totals, he’s never posted an OPS higher than .800 outside of this past season. His lack of plate discipline and inability to consistently get on base makes him a poor fit for a Royals team that needs to build a more balanced, patient lineup.
Moreover, Santander’s defense is another major concern. While he can handle the outfield, he’s not known for his ability to contribute with the glove. For a team like the Royals, whose defense is crucial to their overall success, Santander doesn’t provide enough value in this department to justify his likely price tag.
Finally, Santander’s production is heavily tied to his ability to hit for power, particularly in hitter-friendly environments like Camden Yards, which could skew his numbers. The Royals, with their more neutral home park, might not see the same offensive results from Santander that other teams, like the Orioles, have seen. When you combine that with the likelihood of a large contract and the potential for regression, the Royals would be much better off investing their resources elsewhere.
While the Kansas City Royals are undoubtedly eager to add talent this offseason in order to maintain their competitiveness, they must be strategic in their approach. The three players discussed here—Yusei Kikuchi, Jurickson Profar, and Anthony Santander—represent high-risk investments that the Royals should avoid. These players, while talented, come with significant red flags that make them poor fits for a team like the Royals, who need stability and consistency more than they need high-upside gambles.
Instead, Kansas City should focus on securing players who offer solid, dependable contributions without breaking the bank. The Royals don’t have the luxury of making mistakes with long-term contracts, and the potential for regression from these three players is simply too great. By steering clear of these risky acquisitions, the Royals can focus on adding players who can help them take the next step without jeopardizing their financial future.
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