The Royals reportedly had interest in these players last offseason. How have they fared?

TL;DR

The Kansas City Royals showed interest in several players last offseason but have seen mostly underwhelming performances from them. Key signings include Lane Thomas and trades for Isaac Collins, while many rumored targets have struggled or been injured.

Key points

Royals aimed to improve their outfield in the offseason
Lane Thomas signed for one year at $5 million
Isaac Collins acquired via trade for left field
Most targeted players have underperformed or been injured
Taylor Ward is a standout performer among linked players

Kansas City Royals

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: Mike Yastrzemski #18 of the Atlanta Braves walks to first base after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, May 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images When the Kansas City Royals hit the 2025/2026 offseason, they had a few items on their wish list. Generally, they were looking to shore up their outfield, which was a significant weakness for them. Specifically, they were on the hunt for three things: a right-handed bat to play against lefties, a starting left fielder, and a middle-of-the-order type bat to lengthen the lineup. To fill the right-handed platoon bat, the Royals signed Lane Thomas on a one-year, $5 million deal. Kansas City traded for Isaac Collins to fill the left field spot. And the middle-of-the-order bat never materialized, as the Royals didn’t find a player in free agency or a trading partner that they were comfortable with. Should the Royals have done more? That was one of the questions us Royals Review staff discussed in the very . Fortunately, though, we can take a look at what some of the players with whom the Royals were linked in the offseason and see what they have been up to. And the results are…mostly underwhelming. This list of players includes a variety of free agents in the Royals’ price range as well as the players the Royals were rumored to be targeting in a trade:

Q&A

Which players were the Kansas City Royals interested in during the last offseason?

The Royals were linked to players like Taylor Ward, Brendan Donovan, and Adolis García, among others.

How have the players the Royals were interested in performed this season?

Most of the players have had disappointing performances, with Taylor Ward being a notable exception, performing well for the Baltimore Orioles.

What were the Royals' specific needs during the 2025/2026 offseason?

The Royals aimed to strengthen their outfield by acquiring a right-handed bat, a starting left fielder, and a middle-of-the-order bat.

What contracts did the Royals sign or trade for during the offseason?

The Royals signed Lane Thomas for one year at $5 million and traded for Isaac Collins, but did not secure a middle-of-the-order bat.

Name

Team

Acquired

wRC+

WAR

Taylor Ward

BAL

Traded for Grayson Rodriguez

179

138

0.9

Brendan Donovan

SEA

Traded for Tai Peete, Jurrangelo Cijntje, Ben Williamson, 68th pick in 2026 draft

165

0.6

Adolis García

PHI

1-year, $10 million contract

159

0.5

Adam Frazier

LAA

1-year, $1.75 million contract

104

0.2

Jarren Duran

BOS

N/A (was trade target)

145

0.1

Jorge Polanco

NYM

2-year, $40 million contract

-0.3

Mike Yastrzemski

ATL

2-year, $23 million contract

124

-0.3

Cedric Mullins

TBR

1-year, $7 million contract

124

-0.8

Harrison Bader

SFG

2-year, $20.5 million contract

-10

-0.6

Austin Hays

CWS

1-year, $6 million contract

-0.4

Ha-Seong Kim

ATL

1-year, $20 million

There is one clear winner in this list: Ward, who has been both very good and healthy for the Baltimore Orioles. Two more players are also clear success stories: Garcia, who has been perfectly serviceable on his one-year deal, and Frazier, who is darn near playing at the league minimum but hitting well and generally doing his thing.

Outside those three players, though, there’s a lot to cringe at. Donovan has been good when healthy, but he’s already missed three weeks with an injury this year. Kim hasn’t played at all yet after a freak injury in Korea. Bader and Hays have also been hurt, and they’ve been bad when they’ve played. Yastrzemski and Mullins have simply been bad.

The year isn’t yet done, and it’s only May. There’s plenty of time for this group of players to succeed. Still, you acquire free agents or make trades to impact your club quickly—if teams didn’t need that, they could simply wait until the trade deadline. And the group of players in the Royals’ price range have been largely disappointing.

Kansas City’s offseason wasn’t perfect. Giving $8 million to Jonathan India was eyebrow-raising at the time, and his season-ending shoulder injury makes that more frustrating. And was Lane Thomas worth $5 million? He hasn’t been as bad as many others who got more years and dollars, so that’s a win at least.

But the Royals don’t do their offseason in a vacuum; they have to acquire real players with real money or talent, and have to do so with what’s available. And for the second consecutive offseason, it looks like Kansas City’s reluctance to make splurge on a big free agent or trade acquisition has been smart.

The Royals reportedly had interest in these players last offseason. How have they fared?

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

IndyCar may have found mainstay with Grand Prix of Arlington returning in 2027: 'Bright future'

Why were so many fouls called on WNBA opening weekend? There may be an adjustment period, but ‘this is what we want’

Who is a player you wished you could see play in his prime?

Top contenders in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky boys lacrosse playoffs

Rising hockey costs are leaving young NHL talent behind

Packers Discussion: What are you hoping Green Bay’s schedule looks like?

More from Sports