The Royals have made key trades before. Will they swing one at Winter Meetings?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Picollo pursues value-packed trades and preserves roster flexibility.
- Royals offer starting pitching depth as trade currency while competing.
- Club targets an impactful outfielder; may pivot to free agency.
Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo isn’t afraid to make a deal.
In his tenure with the Royals, Picollo has remained aggressive in his approach to improve the roster. He took a chance on left-handed starter Cole Ragans despite a concerning injury history.
Later, Picollo acquired top reliever Lucas Erceg from the Athletics. The move included multiple prospects. And sometimes, Picollo has had to make a tough decision — such as trading away beloved catcher Freddy Fermin for two starting pitchers.
The trades helped build the Royals’ foundation. Now, Picollo is tasked with another key decision to improve an underperforming offense.
“I like to think we haven’t shown an unwillingness to do that,” Picollo said earlier this offseason of potential trades. “I think we’ve made some moves along the way that have helped us. So that’s an avenue we have to explore.”
Picollo tends to follow a few core principles in trades. He loves to find value while maintaining roster flexibility. Picollo also follows the organizational ethos surrounding pitching and defense.
Last season, the Royals found value on the margins. The club acquired Mike Yastrzemski, Randal Grichuk and Adam Frazier at the deadline. Neither move required a top prospect to be sent in return.
Yastrzemski was solid with the Royals. He hit nine home runs and posted an .839 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in 50 games. Frazier offered veteran leadership and was terrific in a super-utility role.
Those trades were completed to help the Royals compete in 2025. Picollo is likely to navigate the trade market this offseason but understands it takes two sides to make a deal.
Here is where the Royals stand.
The Royals are seen as an intriguing potential trade partner. They have starting pitching depth, with Kris Bubic and Noah Cameron, mainly, drawing interest as trade candidates. Teams are also drawn to Ragans, but it will likely require a massive haul to move him.
“You want to be as well-rounded as a team as you can possibly be,” Picollo said during an appearance on MLB Network’s Hot Stove telecast. “Right now, the depth in our position is with the starting pitching. We are fortunate that we have that depth that we can even consider moving a starting pitcher.”
Picollo will welcome trade conversations. However, there is a balance between striking the right deal and remaining competitive. The Royals are expected to compete in the American League Central and any potential deal won’t deviate from that course.
As with any trade, the Royals have to find a potential trade partner. Teams are still evaluating their own rosters at the Winter Meetings and fielding calls throughout the day.
The Royals have made it known they are looking for offense — specifically an impactful outfield bat. And right now, the outfield market has moved slowly.
Top free agents Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger have yet to sign. It’s left other free agents — and teams with outfield trade candidates — in wait-and-see mode as the outfield market materializes.
Hence, Picollo’s willingness to trade could be delayed. It’s why the Royals may bide their time looking at free agents — such as Austin Hays and Harrison Bader — as potential alternative options.
Picollo has been in this situation before. He got out ahead of the free-agent frenzy by signing Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha in 2024. It’s possible he considers getting an outfielder in free agency while waiting for the trade market to heat up.
The Royals need offense and aren’t tethered to one particular avenue. If they can sign an outfielder and then work out a blockbuster deal with reported trade targets — either Jarren Duran, Brendan Donovan or Luis Robert Jr. — it will accomplish the goal of improving the offense next season.
For right now, it’s unknown what the asking price of a potential trade will be. Picollo is willing to swing a deal, but only at the right tag price.
The Winter Meetings could provide more clarity ahead of what may become a busy offseason.
