What’s next for the Royals after declining Michael Lorenzen’s mutual option?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals declined Lorenzen’s $12M mutual option, owing just a $1.5M buyout for 2026.
- Kansas City enters 2026 with surplus starters and multiple rotation candidates.
- Team may trade from depth to acquire outfield help or an impact bat this offseason.
Kansas City Royals starter Michael Lorenzen is headed to free agency.
This week, the Royals declined a $12 million mutual option for the 2026 season. Lorenzen is due a $1.5 million buyout from the club. He joins Randal Grichuk, Adam Frazier, Mike Yastrzemski, Hunter Harvey and Luke Maile in hitting the open market.
Lorenzen, 33, posted a 4.64 ERA in 27 games (26 starts). He served as a back-end veteran starter to begin the 2025 campaign. His role shifted late in the year as the Royals added key depth to the starting rotation.
The Royals currently have a surplus of starters returning next season. The group includes Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Bailey Falter.
Lorenzen will get a chance to explore his options. The Royals will be able to use the financial savings to pursue other areas of need. This offseason, KC is likely to search for outfield help to further solidify the starting lineup.
The Royals also declined a $5 million mutual option on Grichuk. He is due a $3 million buyout but will also have a chance to find a new home this offseason.
As Lorenzen departs, the Royals will reshape their starting rotation. The club expects Ragans, Wacha and Lugo to return as starters. From there, Bubic and Cameron showed enough promise to be considered frontrunners for the remaining spots.
The question remains whether the Royals deal from their starting depth. If they decide to scour the trade market for an impact bat, teams are likely to inquire about one of their young starters.
Bubic heads into his final arbitration-eligible year before free agency in 2027. He made his first All-Star team this season but missed significant time with a left rotator cuff strain. His name came up in trade rumors at the midseason trade deadline.
This also brings guys like Bergert, Kolek and Falter into the equation. They will all have a chance to win a rotation spot this spring. However, they could also be considered as possible trade assets to improve the offense.
For now, the Royals have quality starting depth that every team desires. Lorenzen made solid contributions across two seasons, but the Royals’ offseason needs led them in another direction.
