Will Maikel Garcia’s role on Kansas City Royals change in 2025? What Matt Quatraro said
The Kansas City Royals have added to their infield this offseason. After acquiring second baseman Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds, the Royals are considering all options to best deploy their infielders.
The Royals currently have India, Michael Massey and Maikel Garcia entrenched for significant playing time. They will join shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino around the diamond.
Witt and Pasquantino are everyday players at their positions. The Royals must decide how India, Massey and Garcia will fit defensively. Both India and Massey are open to playing left field on occasion.
However, the Royals are likely to pursue an offensive bat that could occupy a spot in the starting lineup. It could cause Royals manager Matt Quatraro to mix and match to get the best players on the field.
Garcia is a player worth watching. He appeared in 157 games at various positions during the 2024 campaign. Recently, Garcia underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow but is expected to be ready for spring training.
On Monday, Quatraro told reporters at the Winter Meetings in Dallas that Garcia will primarily be at third base but could shift to different positions while in a full-time role.
“He’s going to play a lot at third base,” Quatraro said. “We’ve seen his versatility. He is the shortstop if something were to happen to Bobby (Witt). He can play second. We’ve put him in the outfield a couple times. I know in the spring we’ll just move him around, but primarily at third base.”
Garcia hit .231 with seven home runs and 58 RBIs in 157 games last season. He recorded 133 hits and stole 37 bases in 626 plate appearances.
The Royals utilized Garcia in the leadoff spot to begin the season. He hit three home runs in his first six games. However, Garcia struggled down the stretch and dropped further down the starting lineup.
In September, Garcia posted a .232 on-base percentage. As a result, the Royals began to insert a host of players in the leadoff spot to finish the season.
“It’s a long season,” Garcia said after Game 4 for the American League Divisional Series. “You got to stick to your routines, got to hit the weights and it’s just about staying consistent throughout the year.”
Royals general manager J.J. Picollo addressed the leadoff spot by adding India. The Royals have yet to decide how Massey and India will spend time defensively.
Garcia’s role could be further determined by what the Royals do later this offseason. For now, he will be penciled in at third base. Still, those plans could change if the Royals find an upgrade in free agency or through a trade.
The Royals have been linked to trade rumors involving Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. The Omaha, Nebraska native hit .280 with 15 home runs and 97 RBIs in 143 games. He also made his first All-Star Game in 2024.
KC could also look for another left-handed option that can play third base. Free-agent infielder Josh Rojas is another name that has come up in discussions. It’s possible the reserve addition will fill a similar role to what Adam Frazier provided last season.
Garcia will have a key spot given his defensive ability. How the Royals round out the offseason could determine whether he sticks at third base throughout the season or transitions into a potential platoon or utility role.
