Kansas City Royals 2026 Plan: Roster, Trades, and Key Targets

The Kansas City Royals head into the thick of the offseason with momentum, plenty of questions, and a real sense of opportunity. They’ve already checked off a few needs, but the front office keeps working on multiple fronts—trades, hoping for bounce-backs, stadium drama, and even the international market.

Royals Still Exploring the Trade and Free-Agent Markets

Even after a pretty active offseason, the Royals aren’t done yet. General manager J.J. Picollo says the club wants to stay flexible and watch how things shake out. Kansas City has come up in rumors around outfielders like Jarren Duran and versatile infielder Brendan Donovan, both of whom could help with lineup balance and the team’s ongoing on-base woes.

They’re confident about staying aggressive this late in the winter because of how last year played out. The Royals waited things out and landed closer Carlos Estévez just before spring training in 2025—a move that paid off right away. That experience really hammered home how much timing can matter, maybe just as much as being aggressive.

Draft Strategy Could Offer Another Angle

Picollo mentioned he’s pretty excited about the chance to move up in the amateur draft. The upper levels of the system are getting thin, so draft capital looks like another way to build something sustainable, right alongside trades and free agency.

Betting on a Jonathan India Rebound

No one on the roster represents the Royals’ faith in bounce-back seasons more than Jonathan India. The former Rookie of the Year had a rough first year in Kansas City, but the team doesn’t think that’s who he really is.

India had to learn two new positions and get used to a new organization. Manager Matt Quatraro said all those changes led to some mechanical problems at the plate, especially a swing flaw that caused too many pop-ups.

Underlying Metrics Offer Hope

The numbers under the hood are a little more optimistic than the box scores. India’s 2025 stats didn’t impress, but his bat speed and contact quality didn’t really drop off. With a full offseason to settle in, the Royals think he can fix those swing issues and put up a stronger 2026.

The Stat the Royals Can’t Ignore: On-Base Percentage

ESPN’s David Schoenfield recently called on-base percentage the defining stat in the AL, and honestly, it doesn’t look great for Kansas City. The Royals finished 22nd with a .309 OBP and sat 29th in walk rate—two stats that kept their offense stuck in neutral.

The outfield struggled even more, posting a .285 OBP. Pitchers just didn’t have to worry about walking Royals hitters.

Offensive Priorities Moving Forward

Any trade or free-agent pickup from here out will probably focus on plate discipline and getting on base.

Stadium Uncertainty Remains a Background Issue

Off the field, longtime local observer Kevin O’Brien keeps raising concerns about the Royals’ stadium plans. He thinks indecision—mainly the back-and-forth between Washington Square Park and the East Village—could repeat the mistakes that tanked the 2024 vote.

O’Brien points to Oracle Park in San Francisco and Petco Park in San Diego as examples of stadiums that, when built in the right spot, can spark real urban revitalization instead of stalling it.

International Market and a Cultural Aside

The Royals are keeping an eye on what’s happening overseas. Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto is meeting with MLB teams this winter.

Free-agent pitcher Tatsuya Imai has a January 2 deadline to sign. Both players could be interesting fits as Kansas City keeps searching for talent.

On a lighter note, the song making the rounds lately is Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push”. Honestly, it’s a pretty fitting vibe for a Royals team that’s still trying to build momentum and figure out its next move.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Kansas City Royals news: What’s next for the Royals in 2026?