The enjoyable form of dumpster diving: Non-tender free agent choices for the Royals

For apparent causes I’m going to deal with outfielders and second baseman, although with Jonathan India not being on this checklist second could be extra crammed than we wish already. Non-tendered gamers are usually not superb, thus their group didn’t wish to deliver them again. Still, there are a few attention-grabbing ones. I put them so as of the one I like the very best to the worst roughly (didn’t put tons of thought into the underside finish). That approach if after a couple of you wish to cease, I completely perceive.

JJ Bleday – He will solely be 28 subsequent season, so nonetheless in his prime, and he appears to be competent defensively in each nook outfield spots whereas being a bit beneath common in middle. His BABIP was low final season whereas in 2024, when it was extra regular, he had a 120 wRC+ and a 3.2 fWAR season. This looks as if a fairly good match for the Royals. Only draw back is that his barrel price, laborious hit price, and exit velocities all inform why that BABIP was low final season. I believe it is a good alternative to see if you will get him again to his 2024 self, and even the final 12 months model would have been welcome on the 2025 KC Royals. Unfortunately, he’s left handed and this group wants proper. I believe he must be pursued for positive.

Adolis Garcia – I’ve heard a couple of folks that basically need Garcia. It must be on a minor league deal for me. He will flip 33 earlier than the season begins and is coming off two very dangerous seasons. That 2023 season appears to be like so engaging that somebody will provide him a one 12 months professional deal, I assume, nevertheless it appears to be like like fools gold to me. He by no means walks and doesn’t play good protection though he’s proper handed I suppose. Has not likely been a lefty killer type although, so not a man who performs approach up as a strict platoon. Again, should you don’t have to surrender a 40-man spot and he’ll come into camp with no main league assure, however solely then.

Will Brennan – Won’t flip 28 for a couple of extra months however coming off a 12 months the place he acquired principally no main league taking part in time and was a league common hitter in AAA. Not a defensive stud both, in all probability common or so in proper, however it’s laborious to inform with the pattern sizes being so small. Maybe if the group sees one thing there. Roccaforte may already be a greater choice than this as a result of his (purported) defensive expertise.

Andy Ibanez – If you wished a light-hitting utility man with a variety of place flexibility, you could possibly to worse. Not actually what the Royals want, however because the final man on the bench wouldn’t harm something. I’d in all probability slightly have him on the bench than Adam Frazier.

Jake Fraley – The Royals appear to be fairly good at this making this kind of participant. Very fringy 4^th outfielder at greatest. Not proper handed, so I might keep away.

Mike Tauchman – Consistently first rate veteran hitter who’s dangerous however not horrible defensively. If he was proper handed can be farther up the checklist. Fraley makes extra sense in case you are doing this since Tauchman is nearly 35.

Christopher Morel – Had a few okay seasons in 2022 and 2023 however is a butcher defensively who has struggled to hit. Young sufficient that possibly somebody can repair him. That slug disappeared, so if somebody knew get that again going, he could possibly be attention-grabbing. I believe that’s in all probability not Kansas City although.

Ramon Urias – Maybe a second base choice should you squint a bit.

Alexander Canario – Absolutely not. I imply, if the Pirates are chopping a bat…

Ronny Simon – Maybe on a minor league deal so as to add depth and adaptability, however not as a solution to something for the approaching season.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Gustavo Campero– No thanks.

Michael Toglia – Calling him an outfielder appears fairly beneficiant. No approach you run this man out defensively, however no less than he can’t actually hit both. Does have some pop, however a 39.2% strikeout price final 12 months and profession 35% is untenable.

And there you have got it. I like Bleday and would 100% provide him a contract. After that, not a lot. That transfer would make this group higher going into spring coaching and drive the Caglianone, Rave, Massey, and Loftin kinds to earn it. I’m assuming they’ll herald one thing higher than Bleday within the offseason, possibly even two. If you do two, then possibly he isn’t value it, however in any other case he’s the man I might be pursuing of this group.