Are the Royals gearing up for an active off-season?
Anne Rogers confirms the Jonathan India-for-Brady Singer trade rumors and writes the Royals are active on the trade front.
A source confirmed those talks with MLB.com, although they cautioned that the teams weren’t close to a deal and that discussions were happening with multiple teams. Two other players the Royals have checked in on are Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, according to sources, but nothing has progressed deeply yet.
Finding a hitter through free agency is not out of the question, but the Royals like what options they have on the trade market.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter considers an India trade.
In addition to seeing some growth in his ability to hit the ball hard in 2024, India continued to demonstrate the plate discipline that made him so heralded as a prospect in the Cincinnati system (he was drafted fifth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Florida).
After a slow start last season and a bit of a dip at the beginning of June, his Process+ rolling chart jumped around the middle of that month and remained well above average in the power and decision value categories.
India’s Swing-Take data via Savant demonstrates how much the Reds’ second baseman improved from 2023 to 2024. Based on Swing-Take data, India was one run below average in 2023. Last year? That number spiked to +16
Jesse Rogers at ESPN Insider [$] surveyed executives on this off-season, with the Royals named the small market team most likely to be active.
Our panel predicts another active winter for a Royals front office that surprised many with its signings last offseason. Kansas City didn’t show up in any of the free agent picks for specific players, but voters who chose the Royals here were pretty confident they’d make some noise after an unexpected postseason run.
“Royals have an early start in this category by retaining [Michael] Wacha,” one voter said.
David Lesky thinks Carlos Hernandez could get moved ahead of Friday’s non-tender deadline.
So don’t be surprised if you see Hernandez to a team like the Marlins for a minor leaguer you may have never heard of. I wrote in a recent Crown Jewels a few players who the Royals might have interested in if they’re made available, so I won’t go into crazy detail here, but if you want to look for possibilities, find players who are expected to make $5 million or more and look at all who were disappointing in some way in 2024. Teams are always looking for a bounceback candidate, and if all it costs is money and maybe a minor leaguer you’ll never hear of again, it’s a pretty good bet for a team.
The Royals are expected to sign top international free agent outfielder Angeibel Gomez.
The Mets acquire outfielder Jose Siri from the Rays.
Nick Martinez was the only free agent to accept his Qualifying Offer.
The Cubs will designate closer Adbert Alzolay for assignment.
The Rays part ways with former Royals reliever Richard Lovelady.
The Phillies plan to meet with free agent Juan Soto.
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