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

For apparent causes I’m going to concentrate on outfielders and second baseman, although with Jonathan India not being on this checklist second is perhaps extra stuffed than we want already. Non-tendered gamers are typically not excellent, thus their crew didn’t wish to carry them again. Still, there are a few fascinating 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 method if after just a few 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 like a reasonably good match for the Royals. Only draw back is that his barrel charge, laborious hit charge, 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 yr model would have been welcome on the 2025 KC Royals. Unfortunately, he’s left handed and this crew wants proper. I believe he must be pursued for positive.

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Adolis Garcia – I’ve heard just a few individuals that actually 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 seems so attractive that somebody will provide him a one yr professional deal, I assume, however it seems like fools gold to me. He by no means walks and doesn’t play good protection though he’s proper handed I assume. Has not likely been a lefty killer type although, so not a man who performs method up as a strict platoon. Again, if you happen to 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 just a few extra months however coming off a yr the place he bought mainly no main league enjoying 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 crew sees one thing there. Roccaforte would possibly already be a greater choice than this resulting from his (purported) defensive expertise.

Andy Ibanez – If you needed a light-hitting utility man with quite a lot of place flexibility, you would to worse. Not actually what the Royals want, however because the final man on the bench wouldn’t damage something. I’d in all probability reasonably have him on the bench than Adam Frazier.

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

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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 if you’re doing this since Tauchman is sort of 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 perhaps somebody can repair him. That slug disappeared, so if somebody knew methods to get that again going, he might be fascinating. I believe that’s in all probability not Kansas City although.

Ramon Urias – Maybe a second base choice if you happen to squint a bit.

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

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Ronny Simon – Maybe on a minor league deal so as to add depth and suppleness, 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 method you run this man out defensively, however at the very least he can’t actually hit both. Does have some pop, however a 39.2% strikeout charge final yr 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 crew higher going into spring coaching and power the Caglianone, Rave, Massey, and Loftin kinds to earn it. I’m assuming they are going to usher in one thing higher than Bleday within the offseason, perhaps even two. If you do two, then perhaps he’s not price it, however in any other case he’s the man I’d be pursuing of this group.