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J.J. Picollo Discusses Royals Offseason Pursuits, Outfield Mix

By Nick Deeds | February 8, 2025 at 3:32pm CDT

A year ago, the Royals had just put the finishing touches on an extension with budding superstar Bobby Witt Jr. that served as a capstone on the busiest and most aggressive offseason the club had put together in years. That strong offseason effort led to an 86-win season and a trip to the ALDS, where they ultimately fell to the AL champion Yankees in four games. After making the playoffs for the first time since they won the World Series back in 2015, the Royals entered this winter with heightened expectations.

The returns of Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen as well as the additions of Jonathan India and Carlos Estevez serve as the foundation of a strong offseason, but comments from owner John Sherman and GM J.J. Picollo relayed by Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star earlier today highlight that the club had bigger hopes for the offseason when it began. Sherman noted that the club made an effort to sign “marquee outfield bats” this winter and are continue to talk with some free agents, while Picollo elaborated further.

“That’s probably the one area in the two years we haven’t been able to reach our goal of getting that (offensive bat),” Picollo said, as relayed by Thompson. “It’s a little disappointing, but we can’t force teams to make trades they don’t want to make. We were active in the free-agent market; we just weren’t able to land the guys.”

Picollo and Sherman are alluding to the club’s failed pursuits of sluggers Jurickson Profar and Anthony Santander, who the club reportedly made two- and three-year offers to respectively before Profar went on to sign in Atlanta for three years while Santander headed to Toronto on a five-year pact. Either of those additions would’ve been a massive upgrade for an outfield mix that’s 79 wRC+ was tied with the White Sox for worst in the American League last year, but an external addition isn’t the only way the club can upgrade its offense in the outfield.

As Picollo notes, the addition of India can improve the offense, and it’s possible some of the club’s infielders can see regular time in the outfield this year as well. Picollo refers to sorting out where the club’s talent will play once the regular season begins as the “biggest challenge” facing the Royals as they head into Spring Training. Both India and Michael Massey are willing to play left field in 2025 and are under consideration for that role, while Maikel Garcia is under consideration for reps in center field as a potential platoon partner for Kyle Isbel. All three of those possible position changes have previously been reported, but Picollo’s comments made clear that a move to the outfield isn’t necessarily guaranteed for any one of those players.

“Jonathan (India) and Michael Massey both said they’re willing to play left field, which is great, but they are both infielders,” Picollo said. “So we need to see them out there in the outfield and see how they move around and figure out what is the best combination for us…it’s going to take time to figure out all the positions, which is different for us because we always valued the defense.”

If defense is the primary concern for the Royals when considering a potential move to the outfield for their infielders, Garcia has a far steeper hill to climb than either India or Massey. Not only is center field higher up on the defensive spectrum than left, but Isbel is one of the league’s most impressive defenders at the position with +10 Outs Above Average. Of course, Isbel’s right-handed complement at the position last year was Dairon Blanco, who turned in -1 OAA at the position and should be much easier for Garcia to surpass. Garcia, for his part, has never appeared in the outfield as a professional but rates well with the glove at third base, with +2 OAA.

It should be much easier for India and/or Massey to prove themselves viable in left. Their primary competition at the position currently appears to be MJ Melendez, who was among the league’s worst defenders in left field last year with a -6 OAA that ranked in just the ninth percentile among qualifying fielders. Neither India nor Massey has significant experience in the outfield, but both rank as average to plus defenders at second base and it’s easy to imagine at least one of them being an upgrade defensively over Melendez in left.

One other note from Picollo’s comments today that Thompson relays is that the Royals “would’ve liked” to add another left-handed pitcher to their roster this offseason. With southpaws Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic both already in the a rotation mix that runs six pitchers deep, it seems likely that any such addition would come in the bullpen. Angel Zerpa, Sam Long, Daniel Lynch IV, Noah Cameron, and Evan Sisk are the club’s left-handed options currently on the 40-man roster, though of that group only Zerpa and the out-of-options Long currently appear to be in line for a spot on the Opening Day roster. It wouldn’t be hard for the club to add a veteran arm to that mix even at this stage of the offseason, with Drew Smyly, Andrew Chafin, Jalen Beeks, and Ryan Yarbrough among the southpaws who remain available on the free agent market.

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Kansas City Royals J.J. Picollo Jonathan India Maikel Garcia Michael Massey

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38 Comments

  1. YellowCleats

    5 months ago

    It’s OK if they couldn’t land a marquee outfielder. Give an opportunity to someone from AA or AAA and see if someone can become the next budding star.

    Reply
    • Superstar Prospect Wander Javier

      5 months ago

      That’s how you remain a mediocre ball club. The correct answer is sign a Free Agent to play now and when that guy in AAA forces his way up, you find a spot in the lineup for him.

      10
      Reply
      • dankyank

        5 months ago

        Maybe a Mark Canha or Kevin Pillar type modestly improves the depth chart but there aren’t any clear cut, starting caliber outfielders left in free agency.

        Picollo should try to build a trade package around their competitive balance pick in order to avoid dipping further into the organizational top 30.

        While the win now push is part of a sales pitch for a new, taxpayer funded stadium, it’s also intended as a window. Namely, a window to fix pitching development -which they made substantial progress on last season- and to restock the farm. The latter two goals are crucial to building a consistent contender.

        IMO, trading the aforementioned draft pick does a better job of balancing the multiple objectives than trading directly from the farm system or signing an FA more suited to fourth outfielder duty at this stage of their career.

        I could always be wrong, but that’s my hot take.

        5
        Reply
    • 17dizzy

      5 months ago

      Since the Cardinals (John Mozeliak) are having a fire sale on their best players, (Because they may cost them a nickel more),
      I wish and hope Kansas City can land Brenden Donovan!!!
      Donovan not only could improve their outfield but bring a solid bat and glove to their every day line up!

      4
      Reply
      • Daryl Pauley

        5 months ago

        Donovan will not be traded. Full stop.

        1
        Reply
        • nowheredan

          5 months ago

          I don’t know, Daryl. The first guy used a lot of exclamation points. Sounds serious.

          1
          Reply
    • KCMOWHOA

      5 months ago

      We don’t have anybody like that lol. Cags is the closest and we just drafted him last year. And he is a 1B who would have to transition to the OF

      Reply
  2. Pronklington

    5 months ago

    I want to see Javier Vaz at the top of that lineup. If he can adjust to the outfield and add a little more power, he has potential.

    1
    Reply
    • GoRoyals1969

      5 months ago

      Says here Vaz is 151 lbs. I wouldn’t look for a big power surge.

      3
      Reply
      • Pronklington

        5 months ago

        Haha. Yeah he’s small dude. Looking more line drive gap power to utilize his speed. He controls the strike zone well and rarely misses when he swings. I could a Steven Kwan-esque guy with fewer hrs more 2bs and 3bs. Like 2023 Kwan

        5
        Reply
  3. mrmet17

    5 months ago

    They can trade for Starling Marte…

    2
    Reply
  4. Yankee Clipper

    5 months ago

    George Brett should be the guy running the show in KC.

    “Mr Brett, if we are doing base running exercises why are we wearing boxing gloves?”

    “You’re about to find out, kid.”

    3
    Reply
    • Canuckleball

      5 months ago

      And whatever you do, DO NOT bring up pine tar!

      5
      Reply
  5. stu18germanator

    5 months ago

    All things considered, JJ’s done a bang-up job this offseason. Hasn’t overpaid for anyone and he’s quietly added some really good pieces. They’ve had a top-5 off-season IMO.

    3
    Reply
    • GoRoyals1969

      5 months ago

      Still, I’m okay with looking at internal options for a half season or so since we missed out on free agent bats; maybe a middle-of-spring-training trade if they don’t overpay in prospects for a marginal upgrade.

      1
      Reply
  6. RotiniRick

    5 months ago

    Try this thing called overpaying. Free agents and teams you are trading with will hook you right up.

    4
    Reply
  7. Longfoot

    5 months ago

    Trade for Taylor Ward.

    3
    Reply
    • Screamer

      5 months ago

      This is the best move in my opinion. Angels have to budge on their ask; maybe trade deadline

      Reply
  8. stymeedone

    5 months ago

    Adding India to the offense is nice, but he’s not a difference maker. He’ll probably make a better OF than 2B.

    Reply
    • Tdat1979

      5 months ago

      His OPB is a lot higher than anything they got from the leadoff spot last year. It’s amazing that they Royals had 3 guys over 90 RBIs last year, with only a few guys with an OPB over .300

      1
      Reply
      • Tigers3232

        5 months ago

        Booby Witt was primary reason for having 3 guys with 90+ RBIs. Led league with 211 hits of those 45 were doubles and 11 triples. That set the plate alot for Vinnie P and Perez

        Reply
    • KCMOWHOA

      5 months ago

      I don’t think he’s played more than a handful of games in the OF in years. Hes an average second baseman which is fine since Massey requested a move because of his back issues. If we had a decent leadoff guy last year we would’ve won 3-4 games

      Reply
  9. Not Good with Names

    5 months ago

    Austin Hays would have been a nice fit. Pretty much just Canha and Verdugo left outside of trades.

    Could see if David Dahl has anything left to offer.

    1
    Reply
    • O'sSayCanYouSee

      5 months ago

      Yes, Hays would have been a great fit for that OF.

      Reply
  10. westcasey

    5 months ago

    Verdugo better option than in house.

    1
    Reply
  11. ba2929

    5 months ago

    “Garcia, for his part, has never appeared in the outfield as a professional.”

    This is untrue. He played 1.2 innings in RF this past season.

    Reply
  12. metman

    5 months ago

    sterling marte’ can be had. Still has value

    Reply
  13. Niekro floater

    5 months ago

    Think Picollo has done hell of a job finding starting pitching, Lugo, Wacha, n Lorenzen. All that on a budget too. Can’t afford misses on big contracts n he’s been hitting. Adding some nice pieces to good lil core group. Royals should be tough this yr.

    Reply
    • GB85

      5 months ago

      Picollo always does a hell of a job – ever see his Special Beam Cannon attack? Scary!

      1
      Reply
  14. Jbigz12

    5 months ago

    The royals wanted another LH pitcher?

    The royals have more LH pitching options than most clubs. Maybe not a dominant one if Bubic is going to start but they certainly have ML bodies.

    Reply
  15. Screamer

    5 months ago

    Royals have made some great moves; JJ deserves so much credit. His love and loyalty for MJ Melendez has been his only real mistake. The experiment is over in KC; time to move on from him and give someone else an opportunity
    Go Royals
    Go Chiefs

    Reply
    • noiro

      5 months ago

      Poor Chiefs, they got totally man-handled by the Eagles. I am a Chiefs fan but it sure was a hard game to watch.

      Reply
  16. GarryHarris

    5 months ago

    Go get Javier Baez.

    Reply
    • CentralFan71

      5 months ago

      I love Javier Baez and what he did for the 2016 Chicago Cubs. But he is the opposite of what the Royals need and definitely will NOT keep the line moving.

      Reply
  17. KCMOWHOA

    5 months ago

    It just suppresses power numbers. It’s great for doubles and triples though.

    1
    Reply
  18. CWS2025

    5 months ago

    Go out and get Louis Robert JR. With his bat, speed, gold glove defense, and guys protecting him in the lineup, he could have a monster year. He’s on a team friendly contract .

    Reply
    • Cardsfanatik redux

      5 months ago

      But he’ll only play 25 games before he’s on the IL for the rest of the decade.

      Reply
  19. CWS2025

    5 months ago

    lol he was healthy last yr, that’s the Cards pitching staff lol

    Reply

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