Kyle Wright has signed a one-year contract worth $1.8 million with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. This deal maintains his previous salary as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.

Despite not pitching in 2024, the Royals are optimistic about his potential for the 2025 rotation. The team, which boasted a strong pitching lineup last season, will see competition for spots following recent trades and player agreements.

The Kansas City Royals are actively exploring trade options for hitters, including Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward. Recent discussions have included potential trades involving Royals pitcher Brady Singer and Reds infielder Jonathan India, although no deals are imminent.

Ward, who had a solid performance in 2024, remains a key piece for the Angels as they aim for competitiveness in 2025. The Royals see him as a significant upgrade in their outfield, while the Angels are also making moves to strengthen their roster.

Gerrit Cole showcased his postseason prowess, leading the New York Yankees to a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals, securing a spot in the American League Championship Series. Cole allowed only one run over seven innings, while the Yankees' bullpen extended their scoreless streak to 15⅔ innings this postseason.

Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, and Giancarlo Stanton contributed crucial runs for New York, who will face either Cleveland or Detroit next. Meanwhile, Kansas City's offense struggled, managing only five runs in the final three games of the series, despite a promising season turnaround.

The New York Yankees secured their spot in the ALCS with a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals in Game 4, thanks to ace Gerrit Cole's stellar performance. After a shaky start in Game 1, Cole rebounded with seven strong innings, allowing just one run and striking out four.

Despite a benches-clearing incident, the Yankees maintained focus, with key contributions from Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, and Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees are now set to face the winner of the ALDS between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium.

The Kansas City Royals finished the 2024 season with an 86-76 record, securing the second wild card in the American League. They swept the Orioles but fell to the Yankees in the ALDS.

While the pitching staff showed promise, the offense struggled, particularly in the postseason, with key players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino underperforming.

Despite these challenges, the Royals made significant progress, marking their first winning season since 2015 and showcasing the talent of Witt, who emerged as a superstar.

Looking ahead, the team must address weaknesses in the outfield and bullpen while considering free-agent acquisitions to bolster their roster for a competitive 2025 season.