The General Managers Meetings are taking place in Las Vegas this week, a setting where teams often start conversations on possible transactions to be made later in the offseason. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Royals are evaluating the outfield trade market.
It’s a logical target for the club. The outfield in Kansas City has been a weak spot for years. 2025 was no exception. The team’s outfielders had a collective .225/.285/.348 batting line this year. That resulted in a 73 wRC+, indicating the club’s outfield group was 27% worse than league average. That was easily the worst mark in the majors, with the Guardians’ jardineros second-last with a wRC+ of 77.
The current group in Kansas City includes Jac Caglianone, Kyle Isbel, John Rave, Dairon Blanco, MJ Melendez, Kameron Misner, Drew Waters and others. Caglianone came into 2025 as a top prospect but struggled badly in his first major league call-up. No one else in the group has any real track record of big league success either.
Upgrading there is an obvious way to improve the club overall. The trade market also makes sense as a way to go about doing it, considering the club’s finances. About a month ago, owner John Sherman said that he expects the 2026 club to have a fairly similar payroll to 2025. RosterResource currently estimates the Royals for a payroll of about $140MM next year. That’s slightly higher than the $138MM RR pegged their spending at the end of 2025.
That doesn’t suggest the front office will have a huge amount of spending capacity. They could lower their commitments by non-tendering some of their arb-eligible players. Jonathan India has the highest projected salary in the Royals’ class at $7.4MM and he’s coming off a poor season. The club could also perhaps trade Kris Bubic and his projected $6MM salary since the rotation could still be in decent shape without him.
Even if the club does pinch a few pennies, they’re not going to suddenly become favorites for a big free agent like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger. Re-signing Mike Yastrzemski is feasible but it’s understandable that president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo would check to see what’s available on the trade market.
Morosi mentions the Red Sox and Angels as possible trading partners. Those seem like speculative picks but they make sense. The Angels have a question in center field but have a crowded mix in the corners. Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Jo Adell and Jorge Soler give them four options for three spots, between the two outfield corners and the designated hitter slot. Trout isn’t going anywhere and Soler has negative trade value at the moment, since he is owed $13MM next year and is coming off a down season.
Trading one of Adell or Ward seems like the move for the Angels, as that could clear up the logjam while potentially adding some much-needed pitching help. MLBTR put both of them on our recent list of the Top 40 Trade Candidates for this offseason. Last week, Morosi reported that the Halos would indeed listen on Ward and Adell.
Ward has the better track record. He has essentially been a 20-plus homer guy for four years now. He only got to 14 long balls in 2023 but was limited by injuries to just 97 games. He just hit 36 homers in 2025 with a strong 11.3% walk rate to boot. Reviews on his defense are mixed. He’s been credited with seven Outs Above Average in his career but minus-14 Defensive Runs Saved.
Adell got many chances with the Angels and didn’t take advantage of most of them but he has shown some promise lately. He did 20 homers in 2024 and 37 this year. His walk and strikeout rates are poor, limiting the overall value of his offense, but he was still a decent contributor in 2025. His .236/.293/.485 line translated to a 112 wRC+. His defensive grades were poor in center but more passable in right.
Though Ward has the longer résumé, the trade value might be comparable. Ward is just one year from free agency and is projected for a salary of $13.7MM next year. Adell, meanwhile, is projected for just $5.5MM and can be controlled through 2027.
The Red Sox have a well-known glut of outfield options which currently includes Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Masataka Yoshida and Jhostynxon García. Anthony signed a big extension with the club and isn’t going anywhere. That’s likely also the case for Rafaela, who also signed an extension and is an elite glove in center. García isn’t yet proven at the major league level but is optionable and swings from the right side, a potential asset in a lefty-heavy lineup.
Duran and Abreu are fairly redundant as lefty-swinging corner guys. Both cracked the aforementioned MLBTR list of Top 40 Trade Candidates for this winter. Duran has more big league experience and has shown a higher ceiling but he’s down to three years of club control and will make $7.7MM in 2026. Abreu, on the other hand, hasn’t yet qualified for arbitration and still has four seasons of club control remaining.
Both the Angels and Red Sox plan to compete in 2026. If either club were to trade an outfielder, they would likely be looking for a return that would help the big league club, as opposed to prospects. Both clubs could use pitching, which is something the Royals have. MLBTR’s Nick Deeds recently took a look at the club’s rotation depth and the possibility that the club could leverage that into an offensive upgrade.
The offseason is still young, so there are still many possible paths for the Royals to take. In addition to the Angels and Red Sox, clubs like the Cardinals, Twins, Diamondbacks and others could have outfielders available, while signing Yastrzemski or someone similar is possible as well.
Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron, Imagn Images
They should offer the Red Sox a package of minor league players for Abreu or Duran. What would the package look like?
It would be malpractice to use their best resources for a “package of minor league players”.
So unless they’re willing to trade Cameron or Bubic, hard pass from this Red Sox fan.
I think the Royals could get Abreu for a package that includes Blake Mitchell, Hunter Owen, & Josh Hansell. Owen and Hansell would thrive in Breslow’s pitching program.
I’ve said it before. I don’t see Abreu going anywhere. With his defensive value highest to Boston (50% of games at Fenway) and Henry loving metric and financial value, it’s Duran that gets traded barring a return that is a true #2 starter. The Sox are looking to win now and as to trade partners, they likely are only looking for MLB talent or low level minor league talent with multiple years before they need to be added to the 40 man roster. I don’t know the Royals pieces but I don’t think what was mentioned qualifies as a #2. Are they potential talent who will not need to be soon protected?
I do think deweybelongsinthehall
What about Abreu and Yoshida for for a package that includes Blake Mitchell, Hunter Owen, & Josh Hansell?
The Red Sox farm is absolutely loaded with future pitching. They aren’t trading Abreu or Duran for prospects. It will depend on what they can sign in free agency to what they need most likely a pitcher like Bubic would need to be in the return for Duran or Abreu.
I guess the author thinks that there is going to be a lost year in 2027 because simple math says Boston controls Duran’s until 2029 which is three years.
Bubic Is a good picture but he’s injured and has not pitched since July. The Red Sox don’t need another injuried pitcher.
If the Royals don’t have a quality another outfield needy team like the Reds are probably a better fit. The Red Sox will most likely be looking for immediate pitching help someone to slot in behind Crochet in a trade for either Duran or Abreu.
Bruin, you can never have enough long term pitching assets and if they can get a #2 in free agency, a deal involving Duran for prospects could make sense provided they don’t need to soon be protected.
The Red Sox have a ton of long term pitching absolutely loaded both Hunter Owen and Josh Hansel are rule 5 eligible and the Red Sox have 20 pitching prospects as good or better than those two. The Red Sox would have interest in Blake Mitchell but not for one of their big league outfielders let’s get real.
Rule 5 eligible in 26.
They would excel in Breslow’s pitching program. I could see each adding 3-4 MPH on their fastball and leveraging their 6-6 height better.
Thanks Bruin. I don’t know enough about teams’ prospects outside of the obvious.
Fan – The last time the Red Sox had an Owen, it was first round draft pick Henry Owens ….. he never even got a taste of the majors. Another Theo draft bust.
This Royals fan would do Bubic and a minor league arm like Beam or Owen for Duran
Bubic is a wild card who pitched great last year coming back from a significant injury but adjusted for the park, was he much better than Giolito? For Duran, I think Boston is thinking of packaging him for someone better.
I think in the right trade they would move Abreu and slide Anthony into right.
Bubic’s success has come from adding a slider to his repertoire. He implemented and used it in 2024 when he pitched out of the bullpen. The Royals were smart doing it this way. It’s sorra the same way the added a sinker to Ragans repertoire that saw improvekents from him.
I think Bubic will be just fine, especially with him being in his prime years.
For Duran or Abreu, I think the guy the Red Sox would want from KC is Maikel Garcia, to replace Bregman if he’s not coming back.
Cleveland Gardeners (jardineros)…love it!
Very generous to include Yoshida among the outfielders xD
Bubic could theoretically address Breslow’s stated desire for a #2 starter.
Unless I’m missing something (very likely), I’m pretty sure Duran is under club control for 3 more seasons. He’s not a FA until 2029.
Bubic for Duran straight up seems like a win/win for everyone.
ba2929- The Royals would have to give up more than Bubic to get Duran. Bubic only has 1 more year left of control. I could see Bubic + Erceg for Duran or something along those lines.
Erceg isn’t going anywhere. Best you could hope for is a lower level arm like Beam or Owens.
All Star starters are in higher demand than good but not great OF.
I just wrote about Bubic. Who knows how he pitches on a full season schedule or in a hitter’s park. The Sox will move Duran but for someone without the injury history. Just my take.
Agreed Dewey KC fans are delusional if they think they are getting Duran for Bubic straight up.
Bubic would instantly be the second best pitcher in Boston and regardless of control a lefty with ace potential will ALWAYS be worth significantly more the a corner OF… if anything it’s the Red Sox that would have to add more
Didn’t realize Bubic only had one more year of control hard pass the Royals would have to include a lot more than just Bubic for 3 years of Duran.
Bubic has never even pitched a whole season.
What would you Red Sox want from Mets for the rights to Duran?
NYM – I think it would take Vientos & Baty to get Duran.
Lol. Baty redeemed himself in my eyes and provides a good glove if Bregman doesn’t return but both could simply end up being a Chavis or Dalbec. For Duran, the Sox should only be looking for a starter, which the Mets don’t have available. Perhaps a three team deal could work but those are rare. They don’t match up unless the teams make other moves first that make more players trade able.
I’m not sure how interested the Mets are in Duran. Don’t get me wrong, he’d be a great pick up. But two of their top prospects, who figure to be MLB-ready at some point this coming season (Jett Williams and Carson Benge), have both spent time in CF. Who knows if either will stick there but I suspect they will spend resources elsewhere this offseason.
Not much to be expected out of the group of outfielders.
Their parents couldn’t even correctly spell their kid’s first names.
That’s starting a person off with one strike already against them.
The Caglianone’s misplaced a K, but the Misner’s found it and made good use of it.
His name is actually Jeffrey Alan. I think he’s a Jeffrey Alan Jr so his mom started calling him jac to not confuse him with his dad.
Bubic for Adell makes sense; I can also see them spinning Kolek to Dodgers for Teoscar…
Although he is coming off a decent season as a starter, Bubic is not who I envision as Boston’s goal for a #2 SP.
Bubic is a better fit than say Joe Ryan when you look at his peripheral stats, and has age on his side. You might be able to do a trade contingent on getting a couple years extension done, considering historic earnings its probably feasible to lock Bubic up for 3 or 4 more years.
Ideally, a lower overall guarantee, but with bonuses for games started so he gets paid appropriately for either role he winds up in going forward.
All good points GA. Youth has value and he could very well could be a stud on the rise. He’s really kinda only been a starter for one entire season which was good. Kinda sounds like Crochet’s arc.
I wouldn’t be opposed to getting Bubic, but IMO he kinda just slots in with their 3-7 possible regular SPs. I’d rather their #2 be if not Cease, someone in that mold… power, stopper kind of arm. Lots of Ks. Not many out there for sure. Sox have resources to get about anyone they want.
Alcantara? Great arm, still young. Had an uneven year, but might’ve convinced himself he can go all out after surgery. Maybe improved his confidence that he didn’t regress injury wise. Wouldn’t cost as much as Ryan, Gore, etc.
The problems with Alcantara are the Marlins have, according to rumors, continued to value him at his peak production, before injury – an injury he hasn’t come back from yet.
Also concerning, before we went under the knife in 2024, he threw 185 IP of 4.xx era ball in 2023. Then he bookends that with an even worse 175 IP of 5.xx era ball in 2025.
Part of that was a really bad first two months. But aside from 2 good weeks in late august, he continued to look the part of a 4ish era pitcher all season.
Im not sure he has that ceiling anymore of being a true ace, not everyone comes back and regains dominance.
Someone who watched more of his games could maybe mention if the eye test showed he’s changed motion or mechanics in 2023 as he tried to adapt to irritation that was building and eventually resulted in the surgery?
But 350 IP of 4.xx-5.xx ball isnt a small sample. I wouldnt be willing to pay for him as an ace without seeing much more consistency at his former talent level, and I think that’s why he’s still in MIA, teams dont want to either.
He may be better held till the deadline in the hopes he regains something better with last year under his belt.
GA-Thanks for the analysis. I did not realize his numbers had dropped going all the way back to 2023. I would be tempted to take a chance on Alcantara, but not as the #2. I would see him more as a replacement for Gio. I think you are correct in the asking price being unreasonable for what you are getting. I will be curious to see if he regains any of the dominance he once had.
UP – If you think back to Sale, he pitched hurt with diminished results trying to avoid the knife trying to gut it out because the team needed him.
2023 was the Marlins WC run. Alcantara could’ve been pitching hurt for a while that season. Its hard to say.
But, Breslow at least says he’s not looking to add a player of Gio’s level with the sox having good back end depth. Which, in theory means Alcantara isnt the type of guy he’s hunting for, and certainly not at Miami’s price
Agree.
Kris Bubic for Adolis Garcia makes sense for all concerned. Each with a year left on contracts. Rangers may have to throw in a couple of million or a low level prospect to make the finances equal out.
I think Garcia will be non tendered if they don’t find a trade partner. Last couple years have been rough for him.
Cardinals have a bunch of outfielders that can be included in trades. Why not have them be put in the post?
Noot is hurt.
Burly is probably moving to 1B if they manage to move Contreras.
Scott is staying put.
Walker is terrible.
If you like Nathan Church a lot, make a offer. More than likely the Braves grabbed the St. Louis outfield surplus when they claimed Siani.
Not Church, but I am thinking of Donovan.
I believe in the Royals front office, they’ve done well the last 2 years. The India trade didn’t work out, but maybe there is still hope. Drew waters is depth only, he just doesn’t have it. Rave is way better imo. Massy fixed something late last year in his swing, 2B is his job to lose imo (defense there is solid). Also he looked decent in LF for India to play some 2B (massy moves to 2B if starts at LF and rave slides into LF…esp if pinch running for India, etc)
Taylor Ward for Steven Zobac
How many years control is Taylor Ward ? 1 year?
Sounds like Reds and Royals have similar outfield issues.
The difference is the Royals will probably do something about it.
Could envision Cincy or KC paying a premium 4-5 yr deal for Grisham off a career year since tougher for them to land FAs. Not saying it’s wise, but realistic.
I hope not. We need someone with consistency, not the usual fly by night guys
Sorry but Jonathan India was a bust. we are not trading with the reds again
Nick Castellanos available really cheap. Please take him.
Tigers.
Castellanos, Kirkering and Banks for
Estevez, zerpa and Cruz.
Pass
The royals are not going to trade away their closer
The stregnth of the royals is their starting rotation. I wouldnt want to deplete it unless the other team is overpaying.
Unless Duran is going to suddenly get injured often, I don’t want Red Sox to trade him. He leads the team in games played over the past 2 seasons and is still a very good player.
Royals got any decent bullpen arms to dangle for Luke Raley? Had an injury plagued season last year, but hit for a 129 wRc from 23-24. He’d might turn 30 next year but making around $4m at the most.
He’d be a cheaper upside play for the royals. I think the M’s would take a decent bullpen arm like Lynch or Schreiber?
I don’t want to trade one of the few remaining 2018 draft arms. So maybe Schreiber but not lynch
Jo Adell’s Flight Path
Jo Adell’s breakout season wasn’t just loud it was seismic.
37 bombs. 98 RBIs. A glove that finally caught up to the hype.
But the Angels need arms, and Adell’s control clock makes him a trade chip with wings.
So who’s ready to take flight with Jo?
Pittsburgh Pirates: Young, hungry, and stacked with pitching prospects. Adell fits their timeline and ballpark dimensions.
Miami Marlins: Elite arms, anemic bats. Adell’s power could anchor a lineup starving for thunder.
Cincinnati Reds: Great American Ballpark is a launchpad. Pair Adell with Elly De La Cruz and you’ve got fireworks.
Philadelphia Phillies: Already circling. proposed deal could land Adell in a contender’s lineup
Detroit Tigers: If they move Tarik Skubal, Adell could be part of the return
Milwaukee Brewers: Always creative, always pitching-rich. Adell’s upside fits their mold.
Adell’s got team control through 2028. That’s not just value it’s leverage.
The Angels can ask for MLB-ready arms, and they should.
That’s a nice sale job reality he chases a ton, he misses a ton, he doesn’t walk much and his defense was, according to oaa he was the worst outfield defender. He’s horrible at getting on base but yea he does hit home runs he has power nice sales job though.
Seems like the best option for KC would be to trade for another teams under utilized player. Raley was a good example given above. Maybe a player coming back from injury, like Matt Vierling. Maybe a change of scenery player, like Jordan Walker. They need value acquisitions.
” the Angels plan to compete in 2026″? I’ll believe it when I see it
Better make a deal with the Angels now, before they get a real GM.
Trade Jonathan India and a year’s supply of burnt ends and maybe they can get some buckets of balls for spring training batting practice.
Blake Mitchell and Bubic are the trade assets but they’re both recovering from injuries last season so right now you’re selling short. Or you’re waiting until spring training or early in the season once they reestablish themselves. My guess would be they sign Yaz and then make a trade during ST for another bat
I guess I’m confused why so many people say Jac struggled last year.
At one point, his expected average was over 120 points above his actual average, and for those with 100+ at bats it was the biggest discrepancy in the majors.
He didn’t strike out a ton, and consistently make very hard contact. He just liked to hit the ball right at people.
Maybe the article’s author would prefer a Nicky Lopez type. He actually hit close to .300 one season, and had one of the 5 lowest HHB rates in MLB.
“Meanwhile” should START the sentence, not come in the middle between commas.