Cole Ragans, the ace for the Kansas City Royals, is currently positioned as a leading contender for the American League Cy Young Award, boasting the third-best odds at +850, trailing only Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox.

In the 2024 season, Ragans showcased his prowess on the mound, finishing with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. His performance was pivotal in leading the Royals back to postseason play, where they triumphed over the Baltimore Orioles in the wild card round before facing the New York Yankees in the ALDS.

Ragans, a former first-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers in 2016, was traded to the Royals in 2023. He emerged as one of the top strikeout pitchers, registering 223 strikeouts in 186.1 innings, and led the American League in strikeouts per nine innings. His impressive season earned him a spot in the All-Star Game and a fourth-place finish in the Cy Young voting.

With a career record of 18-17 and a 3.46 ERA, Ragans forms a strong starting rotation alongside Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. The Royals, who finished second in the American League Central, are aiming for greater success in 2024, having already added infielder Jonathan India to their roster.

Terry Francona, now managing the Cincinnati Reds, emphasizes the importance of pitching depth after acquiring Brady Singer from the Kansas City Royals and retaining Nick Martinez. Francona expressed his satisfaction with the team's pitching options, noting Singer's reliability and ability to maintain a solid innings count.

With a strong lineup including Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, and Nick Martinez, the Reds are gearing up for a promising 2025 season.

The Kansas City Royals are banking on Bobby Witt Jr. as the cornerstone of their offense in 2024. The young shortstop had an impressive season, finishing second in MVP voting and achieving a historic feat with multiple 30-homer, 30-stolen base seasons.

However, the rest of the lineup lacks the same firepower, with few players excelling in on-base percentage or slugging. The Royals recently acquired Jonathan India and are looking to bolster their middle-of-the-order by pursuing Anthony Santander, who had a standout season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Adding Santander could significantly enhance the Royals' chances of contending for a World Series by 2025, though they may need additional signings to complete their roster.

Trade discussions are heating up between the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds, potentially involving Florida Gators alumni Brady Singer and Jonathan India. While no deal is imminent, the prospect of both players switching teams is intriguing.

The Royals seek a second baseman after struggling with the position throughout the 2024 season, while the Reds aim to bolster their starting rotation. Both players have shown significant improvement since their college days.

The Cincinnati Reds finished the 2023 season with a record of 77-85, landing them in fourth place in the NL Central. Despite high expectations, the team struggled offensively, with standout performances from Elly De La Cruz and Tyler Stephenson being overshadowed by injuries to key players.

De La Cruz emerged as a star, leading the league in steals and showcasing impressive power. On the mound, Hunter Greene excelled, though injuries raised concerns about his future. The Reds will need to prioritize health and depth as they look to bounce back in 2025.