A year ago, almost to the day, the Kansas City Royals traded Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for the services of outfielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wimera.
Result? A 2025 campaign without the playoffs, a step back from 2024, when the Royals entered the fall dance by losing to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
However, it appears that the Missouri club wants to repeat its pattern of trading one of its starting pitchers, which allowed him to play baseball in October two years ago. Really, according to team general manager JJ PicolloThere are no untouchables in Kansas City.
We have depth in the starting rotation. A lot of teams are looking for starting pitchers, so if we have something they're interested in and they have an outfielder they might be interested in, there's potentially an opportunity to make a deal.
Right now, the Royals are expected to enter the 2026 campaign with Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic and Noah Cameron in the starting rotation.
While Picollo said the Royals were reluctant to trade Wacha or Lugo, he added that anything is possible as long as the revenue matches his club's needs. That appears to include Ragans, who boasts a 3.32 earned-run average and 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 57 starts for the Royals and is under contract through 2029.
The Boston Red Sox could be the perfect dance partner if Ragans is truly available, given the glut of outfielders in Massachusetts and the Royals' interest in Jarren Duran.
However, the Sox appear to be overvaluing their colt compared to what other Major League Baseball teams think of his value. That way, the Sox could keep him on board, opening the door to a trade involving Seddan Rafaela, who is of no interest to the Royals.
I think they're willing to move anyone other than Anthony to OF, and I'm not saying they're buying Rafaela. This drum I have been beating is written from a speculative point of view. But if you think about it with all the factors (especially the contract), it makes sense.
– Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 2, 2025
What's more, Ba Rouge has already acquired Sonny Gray and now wants to focus on adding a big stick or two.
This content was created using artificial intelligence.
