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Seven Kansas City Royals stories to follow as the calendar flips to 2026

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

What's the latest on the Kansas City Royals? You could start with roster moves, TV broadcast news or even stadium coverage.

It's that kind of offseason in KC.

These seven updates can help you catch up on a pivotal 2026 for the Kansas City Royals. There are updates on who will play for the team, where you can watch them on TV and where the team itself may be playing in the not-so-distant future.

Check out our offseason coverage as the calendar flips to 2026.

General Manager J.J. Picollo of the Kansas City Royals makes remarks during the introduction of Matt Quatraro as new manager of the team at Kauffman Stadium on November 3, 2022 in Kansas City. By Ed Zurga

NO. 1: INSIDE KANSAS CITY ROYALS’ OFFSEASON SO FAR — AND WHAT TO EXPECT MOVING FORWARD

The Kansas City Royals entered the offseason looking to improve offensively. | Published December 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

NO. 2: HOW MAIKEL GARCIA OVERCAME THE ODDS TO RECEIVE CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH ROYALS

Prior to the 2024 campaign, Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo approached Maikel Garcia with a proposition. | Published December 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

FanDuel Sports Kansas City’s Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. By Courtesy of FanDuel Sports Network

NO. 3: COMPANY THAT HOLDS ROYALS’ BROADCAST RIGHTS REPORTEDLY COULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS

The Royals in November announced that their 2026 games again would be broadcast and streamed on FanDuel Sports Kansas City. | Published December 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas high-fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Cubs on July 2, 2025 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. By Griffin Quinn/file photo

NO. 4: WHY THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS FELT LANE THOMAS WAS RIGHT FIT FOR THEIR 2026 OUTFIELD

The Kansas City Royals entered the offseason looking for a specific fit for their roster. | Published December 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm celebrates a strikeout against the Boston Red Sox during a game at Citizens Bank Park on July 21, 2025 in Philadelphia. By Emilee Chinn/file photo

NO. 5: KC ROYALS REACQUIRE RELIEVER FROM PHILLIES TO FILL ROLE OF LEFT-HANDED SPECIALIST

The Kansas City Royals have answered their bullpen needs with a familiar face. | Published December 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

An enormous crowd clad in blue gathered in front of Union Station to celebrate the Royals’ 2015 World Series win. By File

NO. 6: UNION STATION MAKES IMPASSIONED CASE FOR ROYALS PLAYING IN A DOWNTOWN BALLPARK

Nearly everyone around Kansas City seems to have an opinion about the Chiefs’ deal with the state of Kansas to build a new stadium in Wyandotte County. | Published December 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Lane Thomas #8 of the Cleveland Guardians steals third base during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Progressive Field on October 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. By Jason Miller

NO. 7: TWO MOVES THAT HAVE SHAPED THE ROYALS’ OFFSEASON — AND 2026 OFFENSE — SO FAR

The Kansas City Royals had a clear desire to improve their outfield productivity — alongside the overall depth — this offseason. | Published January 1, 2026 | Read Full Story by Jaylon Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.