The Royals fell just short for the second year in the row but in reaching the World Series again proved themselves as one of the elite teams in baseball.
Catchers
Jonathan Gerew (67 wRC+) wasn’t able to match his 2031 All-Star season as his line declined by .060/.036/.098. He continues to provide above average defence but as he enters his arbitration years, the Royals must decide his future.
Dave Holcombe (112 wRC+) missed 7 weeks across 3 injuries in the regular season and all of the post season with a 4th injury. The Royals will see what interest there is in the market for an elite defensive Catcher.
Miguel Palma (44 wRC+) covered limited plate appearances during Holcombe’s injuries while Walt Day (78 OPS+ AAA) struggled with the bat but put up 15 WAR with his defensive ability to pass his audition to back up Gerew next year if Holcombe is traded.
Infield
Midseason acquisition 1B
Luis Zesati (106 wRC+) was above average in 62 games for the Royals and lit up the post-season to prove a valuable acquisition who will earn the league minimum next year. With some development in his eye and gap power available the Royals will hope for even more from him in 2033.
Tim Storer (97 wRC+) didn’t quite show the power he had at the end of 2031 but 18 HRs is a solid return from 2B. He had the 6th highest wRC+ of second baseman to provide 5+ Zone Rating. Storer will return at 2B in 2033.
Jeremy Rogerson (116 wRC+) produced a very similar, well above average, season to 2031. The highest wRC+ of all third baseman to offer over 2 ZR, Rogerson is the third baseman the Royals have been looking for since Stewart arrived.
Bobby Witt Jr. (118 wRC+) turned his season around after a torrid start to remain in the elite echelon of Major Leagues SS. Of players to produce more wRC+ at SS, only Rusty Kopp and Masyn Winn had a better ZR. His injury has seen him return to fragile and he will spend the offseason on a strength and conditioning programme to try to reverse that. Three seasons left under contract, Witt Jr. is now 13.1 WAR behind George Brett (71.7) for the Royals record. Taking that record, and securing a World Series, would but Witt Jr. at the front of the conversation for greatest Royal ever.
Steve Carter (87 wRC+) did not play to his ratings as he struggled with the glove throughout the season. Plus contact and gap power should be enough to secure him another season as a back-up infielder for the Royals.
William Bergolla (90 wRC+) was a competent back-up infielder in very limited opportunities but the Minor League Free Agent has work to do over the Spring if he is to retain a spot on the roster.
Outfield
Only 13 outfielders produced more ZR than
Luis Gotay’s (113 wRC+) 9.0 and, of those, only 6 had a higher wRC+. Gotay is nailed on in CF for the Royals in 2033.
Wyatt Langford (114 wRC+) earned his first All Star nomination while offering a solid bat in LF. However, the post season was a disaster for the two-time ALDS MVP winner, and this may have cost him an extension with the Royals, although the Qualifying Offer is an attractive option.
The acquisition of Zesati allowed a shuffle in the outfield; firstly allowing
Jimmy Goodman (110 wRC+) to move to RF to offer above average defence. This allowed
Billy Mumaugh (121 wRC+) to move to the DH role in which he excelled, leading the team in HRs (25) and RBI (95). The Royals will challenge him to record a 30-100 season in 2033.
Sheng-En Lin (72 wRC+) was the 5th outfielder for most of the season, offering an acceptable glove, especially through his primary role as a reliever. He is eligible for arbitration for the first time and the Royals will likely come to terms with him, but they may explore the market before and after the deal is signed.
Edgar Manzo (104 wRC+) was a September call up who performed well in very limited at-bats who will look for a bigger role in 2033.
Offseason / Early 2029 Overview
CATCHER
Starter:
Jonathan Gerew Arbitration
Back up:
Dave Holcombe Trade?
Other:
Walt Day Back up
Other:
Miguel Palma DFA
INFIELD
1B
Luis Zesati
2B
Tim Storey
3B
Jeremy Rogerson
SS
Bobby Witt Jr.
INF
Steve Carter
INF
William Bergolla Trade?
OUTFIELD
LF
Wyatt Langford Qualifying Offer
CF
Luis Gotay
RF
Jimmy Goodman
OF
Sheng-En Lin Arbitration
CF
Edgar Manzo
DH
Billy Mumaugh
Starters
Mason Barnett (95 ERA+) was one of only five Royals pitchers to be below league average in the first year of his new contract. This was mainly from a lack of defensive support as his FIP (3.68) was over a run lower than his ERA. An increased strikeout rate gave him his most Ks (181) since 2025 and helped take him to 3rd on the all-time Royals list. His experience and consistency should ensure the Royals pick up his 2033 option at $11m
Cade Townsend (138 ERA+) stepped up to lead the rotation and more than did his job, 3.7 WAR and a 17-5 record reflecting a solid season. Underpinned by the 6th most strikeouts in a Royals season (217) and the 5th lowest Opponent Average (.210). At a league minimum salary, Townsend is a safe bet to return in 2033.
Aiden May (174 ERA+) was the star of the season for the Royals pitching staff. As well as receiving his first All-Star nomination, May cracked the Royals Top Ten season lists for OAVG (1st – 0.189), WHIP (2nd – 0.94), K/BB (2nd – 4.6), ERA (6th – 2.59), and Strikeouts (9th – 207). Entering his first year of arbitration, May’s trade stock may never be higher and the Royals will consider offers for him.
J.J. Paniagua (125 ERA+) was solid in his first full season in the rotation; his 8.4 K/9 rate marking him out as offering something different for the Royals.
Marcos Paz (94 ERA+) struggled in 12 starts before a torn rotator cuff ended his season. A walk rate of 6.1 is unsustainable and Paz may be a casualty of the logjam of pitching the Royals face from prospects this offseason.
Mike Hoffer (126 ERA+) is leading the list of those prospect, having come up to the rotation August and earned 2.4 War in only 11 starts. A potential 60-60-60 profile with five pitches, a long-term contract is being considered by the Royals.
Bullpen
There are few hard decisions to be made for the Royals in a bullpen, which was solid but possibly slightly down on previous years.
David Hagaman (114 ERA+) and Wen-Hui Pan (89 ERA+) are arbitration eligible, while
James Karinchak (245 ERA+) is a free agent and
T.J. Brock (133 ERA+) has a Team Option.
Sheng-En Lin (185 ERA+) was discussed above with the outfield.
Hagaman continues to provide above league average relief and, while not a high leverage or stopper candidate, is value for money in his first arbitration year. Pan, however, struggled in 2032, with a drop in his command seeing his BB/9 rate increase by over 2 walks per nine to 5.0. A arbitration of over $6.5m is too rich for the Royals and he will not be offered arbitration.
Karinchak remains an elite reliever but at 37 years old is not someone to whom the Royals will offer a multi-year contract (he is looking for 4 years at $10m+), especially with his stuff having dropped by 15 points in less than 12 months.
T.J. Brock’s option is for $1.7m and, despite his fragile conditioning, provides value for money for a popular player.
Among the remaining bullpen arms only
William Schmidt (123 ERA+) and
Jonathan Fleri (194 ERA+) are locks for 2033 having offered solid contributions through the year.
At risk from internal promotions and any free agent signings will be
Nicanor Berns (80 ERA+),
Eric Cook (92 ERA+),
Jim Porter (114 ERA+), and
Colin White (112 ERA+).
Offseason / Early 2029 Overview
Rotation
SP
Mike Hoffer
SP
Aiden May Arbitration / Trade
SP
Cade Townsend
SP
Mason Barnett
SP
J.J. Paniagua
SP
Marcos Paz Trade?
Bullpen
RP
David Hagaman Arbitration
RP
Wen-Hui Pan Trade / Free Agent
RP
Sheng-En Lin Arbitration
RP
James Karinchak Free Agent
RP
T.J. Brock Team Option
RP
William Schmidt
RP
Jonathan Fleri
RP
Nicanor Berns
RP
Eric Cook
RP
Jim Porter
RP
Colin White