Royals Review
\"A dim view of humanity\" -Lee Judge
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Kansas City Royals news: Congrats to the champs
David Lesky breaks down how the Brewers’ strikeout‑heavy pitching helped them clinch the 2026 World Series and what the Kansas City Royals can steal—more high‑strikeout arms like Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic, and tighter bullpen work. The piece also features Craig Brown’s "Total Baseball" comparison to the 2015 Royals, MLB Trade Rumors’ offseason targets (Vinnie Pasquantino, Michael Massey, Kyle Isbel), and a speculative Bobby Witt Jr. trade to Boston. Plus quick rundowns on the Brewers’ championship parade, Dodgers’ 2027 odds, free‑agent rankings, and other sports headlines.
Brewers Win It All, Royals Offseason Moves & the New Ballpark Survey
The Milwaukee Brewers capture their first World Series title, with William Contreras named MVP and a hotly debated bullpen strategy sparking extended debate. The podcast then shifts to the Kansas City Royals’ offseason plan: a key trade, free‑agent signings like Taylor Ward, and 40‑man roster cuts detailed in Part Three of “Playing Piccolo.” Hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco also dissect the new ballpark fan survey, evaluate a fast‑rising 17‑year‑old in the Arizona Fall League, and argue fiercely for baseball’s radio presence. Listeners get a preview of the Royals’ winter outlook and are invited to weigh in on roster ideas.
Prepare yourself for a flurry of intense free agency and trade activity
The article warns that the 2026 MLB offseason will explode with free‑agency and trade activity despite an imminent lockout when the current CBA expires on Dec. 1. History shows teams poured $1.7 billion into November deals last time, with six nine‑figure contracts—including Corey Seager and Max Scherzer—signed before the lockout. Kansas City Royals GM J.J. Picollo confirms the club plans to move quickly, hoping to secure key pieces before any work stoppage. Expect a frenzied November market as clubs race to lock in talent before negotiations stall.
What is your off-season plan for the Royals for 2027?
The Royals Review asks fans to devise an off‑season plan for Kansas City after a 93‑loss 2026 season. With 35 players on the 40‑man roster—including catchers Carter Jensen and Salvador Perez, infielders like Bobby Witt Jr., and pitchers such as Michael Wacha—the article lists pending roster moves, arbitration salaries, contract options (e.g., $13 M club option on closer Carlos Estévez), and a $30 M budget ceiling. Readers are invited to choose who to add, cut, non‑tender, or trade, and which free agents to pursue to push the Royals back into contention before the December labor deadline.
Kansas City Royals news: The Offseason Begins(-ish)
With the World Series wrapped, the Royals jump into offseason moves. Kansas City declines closer Carlos Estévez’s $13 million option but picks up right‑hander Tony Gonsolin for $2.5 million. The blog also spotlights 2026 first‑round pick Zion Rose, who credits an instinctive swing to his hitting success. A fan’s Halloween idea—dressing as catcher Carter Jensen—adds a light note. Meanwhile, World Series viewership averaged 11.83 million, matching recent five‑game series and beating last year’s low‑rated matchup. The piece rounds out with quick links to Brewers’ WBC‑World Series double winners and several media stories, giving Royals fans a concise off‑season briefing.
Playing Picollo Part 3 – Splashing in Free Agency
In Part 3 of "Playing Picollo," Royals manager‑simulator author outlines a $40 million free‑agency plan after recent roster trades. Facing a choice between top‑off‑price targets Seiya Suzuki (5‑yr/$120 M) and Adrián Morejón (3‑yr/$42 M), he opts for Morejón, offering LHP a 3‑year deal near $45 M after his 2.83 ERA, 3 fWAR reliever season. A trade sends Seth Lugo to the Astros for Tatsuya Imai, swapping a dud contract for a bullpen arm with recent pen experience. Additional moves include LHP Steven Okert (2 yr/$16 M with a $4 M buyout option) and OF Taylor Ward (1 yr/$10 M) to add depth. The piece details contract logic, roster needs, and a final trade hinge before finalizing the signings.
What to know about the Royals and the 2026-27 MLB offseason: Free agents, Rule 5 draft, non-tenders, arbitration deadlines
The Royals face a hectic 2026‑27 offseason after a 93‑loss season, with contract deadlines, free agency and a looming CBA deadline tightening the timeline. Four players – Jonathan India, Craig Kimbrel, Luke Maile and Josh Rojas – become free agents today, and pitchers Alec Marsh, Connor Seabold, Easton McGee and Alex Lange also hit the market. The club will likely decline Carlos Estévez’s $13 M option (paying a $2 M buyout) while exercising the $2.5 M option on Tony Gonsolin. Nine arbitration‑eligible players, including Randy Dobnak and Michael Massey, must be tendered by Nov 22. With roughly $30 M of payroll flexibility and a current 40‑man roster of 34, Kansas City may add prospects like Carson Roccaforte and Lucas Braun before the Rule 5 Draft on Dec 1, pending any lockout.
Kansas City Royals news: The 2026 season concludes
The Milwaukee Brewers capture their first World Series title, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 at Tropicana Field. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals look ahead with a new stadium food and beverage partner, key offseason dates, and promising prospects—Brooks Bryan, Justin Lamkin, and 17‑year‑old outfielder Angeibel Gomez—thriving in the Arizona Fall League. Analyst David Lesky offers a free‑agent guide for 2026/27, while Caleb Moody suggests Randy Arozarena and three low‑cost bullpen options could bolster the Royals next season.
World Series Game 5 game discussion
Game 5 of the 2026 World Series pits the Milwaukee Brewers, led by ace Jacob Misiorowski (16‑5, 1.80 ERA) and a likely NL Cy Young winner, against the Tampa Bay Rays, who will start former Brewer Drew Rasmussen (16‑5, 2.67 ERA) on short rest. After the Rays escaped a sweep with an extra‑inning win in Game 4, this decisive matchup could see the Rays become only the fifth team to win a Game 4 after trailing 3‑0, while the Brewers aim for their first championship. The game airs on FOX at 7 p.m. CT.
The Royals can’t spend their way to a better bullpen
The Royals' 2026 bullpen ranks second-worst in MLB with a 5.07 ERA and a league‑worst 6.65 ERA in the ninth inning, prompting GM J.J. Picollo to flag it as an offseason priority. Past free‑agent splurges, like the $13 million spent on Will Smith and Chris Stratton in 2024, yielded a disappointing 5.98 ERA. By contrast, the Brewers and Rays built effective pens through drafts, trades, international signings and Rule 5 picks, avoiding costly free‑agent contracts. The article argues that smaller‑market teams should favor flexible, low‑cost arms and strong development over pricey, aging relievers, warning that overpaying can lock a club into underperforming contracts.
Royals Move on From Five Pitchers as Offseason Timeline Looms
The Royals announce a wave of roster cuts, releasing right‑handers Alex Lange, Mason Black, Connor Seabold, Alec Marsh and starter Easton McGee as the offseason looms. Hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco dissect the bullpen struggles that forced the moves, explain how Kansas City evaluates each arm’s performance, and speculate on where the pitchers might land next. The discussion also tackles the risk‑reward balance of shedding familiar pieces for unproven talent, offering a clear glimpse into the club’s upcoming roster strategy.
Looking back at Kevin Appier
The article revisits Kansas City Royals' overlooked ace Kevin Appier, a 1987 first‑round pick who debuted in 1989 and became a rotation staple. Highlighting his 1993 breakout—18‑8 record, 2.56 ERA, 9.3 bWAR, yet missing the Cy Young— the piece argues voting bias and the Royals' poor teams limited his accolades, including just one All‑Star nod in 1995. It notes his impressive game‑score stats (23 outings 80+, only seven 1‑run losses) and near‑no‑hit performances, underscoring his status as one of the 1990s’ top pitchers despite playing in an offensively inflated era.
Kansas City Royals news: Aramark out of Kauffman in 2028
The Royals announce Sportservice (Delaware North) will replace Aramark as Kauffman Stadium’s food and beverage provider starting in 2028, giving the club time to build local vendor ties. The piece also highlights former manager Ned Yost’s interview on World Series lessons, makes a case to keep reliever Nick Mears amid arbitration, reviews Michael Wacha’s 2026 season with a career‑high 30 homers allowed, and notes former pitcher James Shields’ near‑miss with a Rays mascot.
World Series game 4 discussion thread
The Milwaukee Brewers enter Game 4 of the 2026 World Series with a 3-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Fans in Wisconsin are buzzing as the team eyes its first championship, but the Brewers opt for right‑hander Dustin May (5.64 ERA) instead of ace Jacob Misiorowski, who could have been saved for a potential Game 7. The decision leaves the Rays with a chance to spark a comeback. Lineups are on deck, with the Brewers ready to make history as the series heads to Tropicana Field.
A few Royals stadium name ideas, ranked from worst to best
The Royals Review riffs on potential names for Kansas City’s upcoming downtown ballpark, confirming it won’t remain Kauffman Stadium. The piece lists ten tongue‑in‑cheek options—from corporate picks like Hallmark, QuikTrip and AMC to tribute ideas such as Sherman Stadium or Ty France Memorial Field—ranking them from worst to best. The author highlights the financial lure of naming rights ($2‑20 million annually) and notes the likely “Crown Stadium” moniker, nodding to the venue’s location in Crown Center and Hallmark’s logo. It’s a playful yet informative look at the branding possibilities before the stadium opens years from now.
This Week in the Minors: Omaha Storm Chasers season in review
The Omaha Storm Chasers, Kansas City’s Triple‑A affiliate, closed out 2026 at 65‑81, finishing eight games under .500 in both halves of the season. Standout batters included undrafted first baseman Brett Squires (.277/.351/.549, 31 HR, 103 RBI), 2023 Comp‑B pick Carson Roccaforte (35 HR, 32 SB, .257/.338/.519), versatile infielder Jack Pineda (.351/.413/.530, 9 HR), and utility man Peyton Wilson (.276/.358/.433, 8 HR). Outfielder Gavin Cross added 17 HR and 25 steals. Pitching was less promising, but left‑hander Ryan Ramsey (115.2 IP, 110 K) and right‑hander Henry Williams (132 IP, 120 K) showed potential for a Royals call‑up. The piece highlights who might earn a spot in Kansas City next season.
Kansas City Royals News: Justin Lamkin dazzles in AFL
In Arizona’s Week 3 of the Arizona Fall League, Royals prospect left‑hander Justin Lamkin dazzles for the Surprise Saguaros, tossing 4.1 shutout innings with a perfect 0‑0 line and four strikeouts, including three off his newly honed curveball. The 2025 No. 71 overall pick, who entered the season with a 2.04 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP before a shoulder injury in May, returns to form, retiring 13 straight batters before exiting in the fifth. Meanwhile, Kansas City releases veteran catcher Jorge Alfaro and adds right‑hander Félix Arronde to the AFL roster. Other baseball notes include a high‑viewed World Series Game 1 and MLB testing outfield‑shift limits in the AFL.
2026 World Series Game 3 Live Discussion
The Brewers head to Tampa for World Series Game 3, trying to extend their 2-0 lead after winning the first two home games. Rookie right‑hander Robert Gasser, who posted a 1.5 fWAR in 109.1 innings this season and has allowed just one run in nine postseason innings, earns the start for Milwaukee. The Rays counter with former Brewer Freddy Peralta, who surrendered only two runs over 16.2 postseason innings, including a brief bullpen stint against Cleveland. The game tips off at 7 p.m. Central on FOX/FOX ONE, with radio coverage on ESPN.
Why the Royals shouldn’t trade Vinnie Pasquantino
The Royals face a tough off‑season decision on whether to trade veteran first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. After a solid 2025 season (.264/.335/.477, 32 HR, 113 RBI), his 2026 output fell to .249/.333/.428 with 17 homers and a string of injuries that limited his play. Owner‑approved analyst Perla Paredes suggests moving Pasquantino could free up first base for the 23‑year‑old Jac Caglianone, whose defensive struggles and injury history have hampered his development, while also allowing the team to address pitching needs. Despite his inconsistent April splits and injury‑prone past, Pasquantino remains a key middle‑order bat, and the article weighs his overall value against roster flexibility before the December trade deadline.
2026 Royals season in review: Isaac Collins
Isaac Collins entered the 2026 season as Kansas City’s marquee offseason signing, yet he struggled offensively, posting a .213/.320/.321 slash line over 145 games with just six homers and a 0.4 WAR. After a respectable first half (.240/.345/.363), his second half collapsed to .171/.281/.257, including a 4‑for‑54 September. Defensively, he shined with 11 outfield assists (most by any left fielder) and only two errors, balancing his overall value. The Royals hope his defensive reliability buys him another shot, but his bat must improve to justify the roster spot.
2026 Royals season in review: Kyle Isbel
Kyle Isbell’s 2026 campaign sees a sharp decline after a 2025 breakout. The former primary center fielder logged a +7 Outs Above Average despite missing two months with a left plantar‑fascia injury, but his defensive arm rating slipped to –2 and he committed four errors. Offensively, Isbell posted a .224/.268/.323 slash line over 100 games, with six homers, nine doubles, a triple and a perfect 6‑for‑6 stolen‑base record, yet his WAR turns negative at –0.4—the first in his career. His split against right‑handers (.248/.296/.356) remains respectable, while he struggles vs. lefties (.153/.176/.222). The Royals now face a decision: keep him as a starter, shift him to a fourth‑outfielder role, or trade the aging 2018 third‑round pick.
Kansas City Royals news: Were the Yankees interested in Michael Massey?
The Royals Review notes that the New York Yankees have previously shown interest in Kansas City second‑baseman Michael Massey, a point highlighted by New York Post reporter Joel Sherman. The piece intermixes fantasy analysis of young hitters, a review of reliever Lucas Erceg’s 2026 season, and retro trivia about Danny Jackson’s 1985 immaculate inning, but the headline focus remains the lingering Yankees curiosity about Massey as the Royals head into free‑agency decisions.
World Series Game 2 discussion
The Royals Review previews World Series Game 2 at American Family Field, noting the Brewers' narrow Game 1 win and the upcoming pitching duel between Logan Henderson and Rays ace Drew Rasmussen. Henderson boasts an unbeaten home‑start record, while the Rays aim to avoid a 0‑2 series hole. The article also mentions a photo of Rasmussen taken on October 22, 2026, and hints at the lineups for the decisive matchup.
Kansas City Royals news: Alex Lange is outrighted off the roster
The Kansas City Royals have outrighted reliever Alex Lange—and also pitchers Mason Black, Connor Seabold, Alec Marsh, and Easton McGee—to the minors, clearing a roster spot as the club looks to reshape its farm system. The move follows ongoing discussions about leveraging lessons from the Brewers and Rays, as well as debates over trading first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. While Black lacks free‑agency rights and remains under three years of service, the Royals hope to develop these arms in a non‑roster capacity. The article also touches on broader MLB news, including a $23.15 million qualifying offer increase and Shohei Ohtani’s health outlook.
World Series Game 1 discussion
In Game 1 of the 2026 World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers start NL Cy Young hopeful Jacob Misiorowski, while the Tampa Bay Rays break convention by slotting third‑ or fourth‑depth arm Nick Martinez on the mound. The Rays' move may be a strategic ploy to reserve their top starters, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta, for later matchups, though concerns linger about Rasmussen’s health. The article highlights the historic stakes—both teams could claim their first championship since 1980—as the series kicks off in Milwaukee on October 21.
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