The Royals have been efficient this offseason in the trade market and have already made deals to bring in an outfielder. Isaac Collins (and righty Nick Mears) and the lefty setup man Matt Strahm to Kansas City. They’ve been scouting bigger deals than that all winter, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently reported that the club “increasingly impossible” to be successful in their efforts to trade any Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran or Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan. While that doesn’t completely rule out the club from pulling off one of these deals, it’s disappointing news for Royals fans who have been dreaming of a big trade.
Improving the lineup’s outfield has been a priority for Kansas City this winter, and Duran or Donovan certainly provide a big boost. Duran is a full-time outfielder with experience in both left field and center field, and would likely play center for the Royals if available. That can be a push Kyle Isbell in a deep role and move Lane Thomas over the right side Jac Caglianone. Donovan, on the other hand, can play both inside and outside. If acquired, he may split time between the outfield corners and second base. That will reduce the playing time of Collins in left field, Caglianone in right field, and Jonathan India at second base while moving Thomas into the time zone with Isbel in center.
Either of those scenarios would greatly improve the Royals’ roster, but it seems like a merger deal is taking a long time now. That’s not really a shock. The team’s top trading chip at this point might be the southpaw Chris Bubicbut both Duran and Donovan are valuable enough that it would be hard to see them being traded for a rental player. Other pitchers on the list like it Cole Ragans again Noah Cameron would certainly be very attractive, but taking a long-term part in the rotation that helped propel the Royals to their strong 2024 and ’25 seasons (and Bobby Witt Jr.’emerging as a star) seems like a tough pill for the team to swallow.
Without more additions, that would leave the team with Collins as the regular left fielder, Isbel in center, Caglianone in right, and Thomas lining up Isbel and Caglianone against lefties. Dairon Blanco, Cameron Misneragain Drew Waters There are some depth options, although there is no lock to make the Kansas City roster at this point. It’s hard to see that team being more than below average, as the Royals posted the worst wRC+ in the majors (73) on grass last year. Collins (122 wRC+) should be a big improvement in the lefty’s club production in 2025, and Caglianone could take a step forward after a rough rookie campaign. But Thomas’ 48 wRC+ last year makes it hard to count on him to make an impact on the team, while Isbel and the deep pieces seem unlikely to make meaningful moves forward.
Of course, Donovan and Duran aren’t the only ways the team could improve the offense. Maybe a free agent like Mike Tauchman or Austin Hays will fall through the cracks and be available for cheap later this offseason. It is also possible that different trades can merge. Players love it Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, Jesus Sanchez for the Astros, as well Ramon Laureano The Padres have all found themselves in trade rumors this year, and while no one has been directly linked to the Royals at this point it would make sense for Kansas City to step in. Given the team’s pursuit of Donovan, perhaps even a midfielder who could play a useful role or push India into that role would make sense. Cubs are inside Nico Hoerner again Matt Shaw and second baseman of the Yankees Jazz Chisholm Jr. are among the players who have seen their names come up in rumors recently, as well as many of the young players who play games for the Mets. Rumors in Queens, in particular, could be rampant after the team’s latest signing. Bo Bichette.
