Kansas City Royals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India is one of several hitters that the Kansas City Royals are targeting in a trade, according to sources briefed on the team's talks. On the flip side, right-hander Brady Singer is drawing interest from the Reds and other clubs that are looking to bolster their starting rotations. India and Singer were both first-round picks out of Florida back in 2018. A trade is not imminent, though, and the Royals are also discussing the idea of trading left-hander Kris Bubic or righty Alec Marsh for a young hitter. The 28-year-old Singer is more attractive because he's coming off a career season and is under team control for two more years. Both India and Singer will be eligible for salary arbitration a final time in 2026. Landing India would solve KC's second base woes after they tried five different players at the keystone in 2024.

Among non-leadoff hitters in 2024, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who hit second for the team, had the most plate appearances (433) with the bases empty. Witt still impressed with 109 RBI, 211 hits, 32 home runs and a .332 batting average, but the Royals are looking to prioritize quality contact and on-base percentage as they look for a new leadoff hitter this offseason. Royals hitters struck out at just a 19.4% clip (third-lowest in baseball) but also had a .306 on-base percentage (19th). Among players that KC might be looking at include Reds infielders Jonathan India and Spencer Steer and free agent Jurickson Profar. If the Royals explore the trade market, league sources suggest they would listen to offers for left-hander Kris Bubic and right-hander Alec Marsh.

The Kansas City Royals and right-hander Michael Wacha agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal on Sunday, according to sources. The deal to keep Wacha in town includes a club option and can max out at four years and $72 million. The 33-year-old veteran and former first-rounder was a big reason why the Royals surprised with a playoff appearance in 2024 and advanced to the American League Division Series before losing to the New York Yankees. He was fully expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2025 after going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings in his 29 regular-season starts. Wacha has pitched pretty well the last three seasons with the Royals, Padres and Red Sox when he's managed to stay healthy. However, he's had issues avoiding the injury bug in the past and doesn't miss as many bats as fantasy managers would like.

Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Adam Frazier had his 2025 club option declined and will instead head to free agency according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Frazier had the worst season of his MLB career in 2024 as he hit for an underwhelming .202/.282/.294 slash line with just ten doubles, four home runs, and three swiped bags. From 2021 through 2023, Frazier hit at least 20 doubles in each season. The 32-year-old also saw his underlying metrics decline as he posted a 2.9% barrel rate and 22.8% hard-hit rate, which were both lower than his 2023 totals. Frazier should be left off your fantasy radar in 2025 given his drop in batting average and minimal power output.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe and relief pitcher Chris Stratton both had their 2025 club options exercised according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Renfroe had a down year in 2024 as he hit just 15 home runs, his lowest total in a full season throughout his career. He held a .229/.297/.392 slash line. Stratton served as a high-leverage reliever this past summer and posted a 5.55 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP with four saves and five holds. Fantasy managers should expect Renfroe to be deployed as a platoon option early on in right field with the opportunity to grow into a full-time role if he can get back on track. He could be worth a look as a late-option for power in deeper formats. Stratton should be in the mix to see a handful of save opportunities in 2025.