MJ Melendez signs free-agent deal with new team. He spent 4 seasons with Royals
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Melendez signed a one-year, $1.5M deal with the New York Mets.
- After four seasons with Kansas City, he joins New York for a fresh start.
- Royals did not renew him; he gets a chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster.
Former Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez has found a new home.
On Sunday, Melendez reportedly agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million to join the New York Mets, per MLB insider Jon Heyman. He arrives in New York after four seasons with the Royals.
Melendez was once a Royals top prospect. He was selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft as a catcher. He would later transition to the outfield as the Royals were set with Salvador Perez behind the plate.
Melendez hit 41 homers across two minor-league affiliates in 2021. His offensive prowess led to his MLB debut a year later. However, Melendez never quite put it together at the big-league level.
He struggled to hit for average despite hitting 52 career homers. In 2025, Melendez posted an .083 batting average in 60 at-bats. The Royals ultimately decided to demote Melendez to Triple-A Omaha for the remainder of the season.
Melendez did fare better in the minors. He ironed out his swing and finished the 2025 campaign with an .813 OPS (on-base plus slugging), 20 homers, 64 RBIs and 20 stolen bases with the Omaha Storm Chasers.
However, the Royals did not renew his contract for 2026. As a result, Melendez tested free agency and landed with the Mets.
Now, Melendez is set for a fresh start. He gets a chance to make the Mets roster on opening day. New York boasts an outfield that includes Juan Soto and Luis Robert Jr.
The Royals have moved on with Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas in their outfield. Collins arrived in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers. He is expected to be the primary left fielder while Thomas — who was acquired in free agency — will get a chance for regular at-bats in the outfield rotation.
Melendez will face his former team from July 7-9. The Royals travel to Citi Field to face the Mets just before the MLB All-Star Break.
