The Kansas City Royals enter the offseason with a glaring issue that has been analyzed, discussed, and heavily scrutinized: their outfield simply did not perform at a competitive level in 2025. Statistically, the group posted a wRC+ of 73, the worst mark in Major League Baseball.
For context, a wRC+ score of 100 represents league-average offensive production, so Kansas City’s outfield was operating at roughly 27% below the average hitter. That lack of offensive impact from such an important position group was one of the major reasons the Royals once again found themselves watching the postseason from home instead of competing in it.
Because of this, fans of the franchise have been vocal and clear about what they want. They would love for general manager J.J. Picollo and the Royals front office to make a bold, aggressive move — something that signals the team is ready to break from the pattern of gradual development and instead take a decisive leap toward contention.
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The two names that generate the most buzz among the fan base are Cody Bellinger, one of the top free-agent outfielders on the market, and Jarren Duran, the exciting All-Star-level outfielder from the Boston Red Sox who has been mentioned in trade rumors. Both of these players would be huge acquisitions:
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Bellinger brings power, defensive versatility, and postseason experience.
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Duran offers athleticism, elite speed, and high-end upside.
Either move would represent a significant swing for the fences — the type of headline move that signals ambition and accelerates a franchise’s timeline.
However, while fans can dream, realism has to play a role. Kansas City remains one of Major League Baseball’s small-market teams, and despite a respectable step forward in spending last year, their payroll still ranked just 19th among all teams. That figure places them in the lower tier of franchises willing or able to spend freely in free agency. The reality is that large-scale spending sprees and superstar bidding wars are not typically the Royals’ operational style.
Every winter, baseball’s financial hierarchy becomes clearer: large-market franchises have the flexibility to spend aggressively, while clubs like Kansas City must navigate the offseason with a more strategic and cost-conscious approach. Because of that, it’s reasonable to assume that the Royals will examine cost-effective options as seriously as the big splashy ones.
Fortunately, the shifting landscape across the league may be creating an opportunity. Kansas City might not need to empty the farm system or hand out a massive contract to improve its outfield. A potential bargain alternative has begun to emerge — one tied to roster decisions happening in Arizona.
According to recent reports, Alek Thomas, the young outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, could once again see his name circulating in trade discussions. Thomas, once viewed as a key long-term piece for Arizona, has dealt with stretches of inconsistency at the plate, but he remains an elite defensive center fielder with athletic upside and years of team control. That combination — defense, athleticism, and affordability — fits the Royals’ typical acquisition profile.
The reason Thomas may be available stems not from his performance but from organizational developments within the Diamondbacks. There has been growing momentum toward giving another young talent, former top prospect Jordan Lawlar, an extended look in center field. Just weeks ago, Lawlar began taking defensive reps in center during Dominican Winter League play. Earlier reports from MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert indicated that the Diamondbacks were interested in experimenting with Lawlar in the outfield, potentially signaling a future shift in their positional plans.
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If Arizona truly sees Lawlar as a long-term center fielder, Thomas could become expendable — and whenever a talented, inexpensive player becomes potentially available, smart teams take notice.
From Kansas City’s perspective, Thomas checks several important boxes:
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Affordable cost: He remains under team control for multiple seasons, which aligns with the Royals’ financial constraints.
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Defensive reliability: He immediately strengthens the outfield defense, an area in need of improvement.
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Upside: Thomas is still young and developing, meaning the Royals could benefit as he reaches his peak.
While acquiring Thomas may not create the same excitement as signing Cody Bellinger or trading for Jarren Duran, it is exactly the kind of calculated move that a small-market front office often makes — a move that balances improvement with long-term sustainability.
The headlines may focus on star names, but the Royals’ path to contention might depend on smart, cost-effective additions like this one.
Alek Thomas could hold value in the Royals’ outfield mix
The Kansas City Royals have been connected to this player before, as his name surfaced months ago when the team explored trade possibilities near the summer deadline. At that time, the idea never gained enough traction to become a reality, but the current offseason landscape creates a more logical scenario. Circumstances have changed, and so has the Royals’ level of urgency when it comes to improving their outfield mix. Even so, the player in question carries certain traits that could raise hesitation, particularly on the offensive side.
From a statistical standpoint, his offensive résumé does not immediately inspire confidence. In the most recent season, he finished with an 81 wRC+, marking yet another year where his production fell below league-average by that metric. He registered a .249 batting average, hit nine home runs, accumulated 38 runs batted in, and ended with a .659 OPS.
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Those numbers suggest that he has not yet consistently proven himself as a reliable, impactful hitter at the major league level. Another possible complication is that he hits left-handed, something Kansas City already has plenty of within its lineup and outfield depth chart. Adding another left-handed bat could create lineup imbalance, especially against tough lefty pitching.
However, there is an alternate angle that adds intrigue. Despite his numbers still being underwhelming, the season he just completed represented a noticeable step upward from his previous campaign, during which he posted only a 65 wRC+.
In 2025, he achieved personal bests in batting average, on-base percentage, home runs, runs driven in, and wRC+. Though he has yet to establish himself as an offensive force, the overall trajectory shows progress rather than stagnation or decline. The Royals, who endured poor outfield production last year, could view him as a player trending in the right direction at a bargain price.
Comparing him to some internal options increases his appeal. Players like MJ Melendez and John Rave struggled heavily and did not provide the level of value necessary for a playoff-hopeful team. Even with moderate improvements at the plate, this potential acquisition would instantly offer better results. Yet his contributions extend beyond hitting. The Royals faced significant challenges with baserunning efficiency throughout the season, finishing in the bottom tier of the league in overall baserunning value (BsR). This deficiency cost them opportunities to manufacture runs and apply pressure on opposing defenses.
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This is where the player stands out. Equipped with sprint speed that ranks in the 75th percentile, he brings above-average quickness and instincts on the base paths. In the latest season, he recorded a 2.0 BsR, marking his fourth straight year with a positive and above-average baserunning total. The Royals struggled to create offense at times due to station-to-station movement and sloppy decisions on the bases; adding someone capable of taking the extra ninety feet — and doing so intelligently — could provide a needed boost. His speed and aggressive tendencies would align with Kansas City’s ideal brand of baseball, which prioritizes athleticism and pressure.
The more complicated element is defense. While his entire major league career has been spent in center field, the Royals already have Kyle Isbel, also a left-handed hitter, who provides elite defense at the position. Isbel offers Gold-Glove-level ability, making him extremely valuable even if he contributes only modestly offensively. For the Royals, the question becomes whether the player they are considering could slide into a corner position.
They currently lack proven depth in those corner outfield spots, but because he has not been tested there at the major league level, the team would be projecting rather than relying on certainty. If he cannot comfortably handle either corner, his role becomes limited, especially since he does not represent a clear upgrade over Isbel in center.
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To be clear, he is not the perfect match for what the Royals ultimately need. He will not single-handedly transform an outfield that severely underperformed or erase the offensive inconsistencies that plagued the team. Rather, he represents a supplemental option — someone who addresses a few smaller needs without solving the entire puzzle. But his financial situation matters. He is projected to make just $2.2 million through arbitration in 2026, a number that creates minimal risk for a team still exploring how aggressively it wants to spend this offseason.
So, is he the complete, ideal answer to the Royals’ outfield problems? No. Is he the type of player who can quietly strengthen the roster, improve athleticism, increase baserunning impact, and potentially hit slightly better than their internal depth options? Yes. For a low cost and no long-term commitment, he is at least worth investigating. Even if he does not become a cornerstone piece, the Royals would be justified in exploring this path to see whether his trending improvement continues.
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