The Royals began the offseason with a three-year signing to keep their excellent rotation intact. They traded from that starting staff a month later to acquire a new leadoff hitter. Kansas City hoped to follow up with an impact offensive acquisition that never materialized. They instead turned to the relief market late in the winter to add a veteran closer. Major League Signings RHP : (including buyout of 2028 club option) RHP : (including buyout of 2027 club option) RHP : (including buyout Jaylen Nowell Jersey of 2026 mutual option) 2025 spending: $35MM Total spending: $80MM Option Decisions RF $7.5MM player option RHP $4.5MM player option Team $8.5MM mutual option on 2B in favor of $2.5MM buyout Trades and Claims 2B and RF from Reds for RHP Claimed SS from White Sox (later to Yankees) Extensions LHP to three-year, $13.25MM deal to cover final pre-arb year and first two arbitration seasons Notable Minor League Signings , , , , , , , , Notable Lo ses , , , , , , , The Royals were perhaps the most surprising playoff team of 2024. Kansas City had a 30-win improvement relative to the preceding season. They held the Orioles to one run in two games to sweep their Wild Card series. The Yankees knocked K.C. off in the Division Series, but the Royals' window has reopened after a nine-year postseason drought. They remain one of the more top-heavy contenders. Kansas City's succe s was built around an elite rotation and an MVP-caliber season from They preserved a crucial piece of that rotation just before free agency opened. Kansas City signed to a three-year, $51MM extension to keep him from opting out and testing free agency. The veteran righty rejoins as the 2-3 arms behind breakout left-hander . Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription BENEFITS Acce s weekly subscriber-only articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco. Join exclusive weekly live chats with Anthony. Remove ads and support our writers. Acce s GM-caliber tools like our MLB Contract Tracker Karl-Anthony Towns Jersey