The Kansas City Royals made several notable moves this offseason, including acquiring infielder Jonathan India and re-signing pitchers Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen. However, they largely failed to address a critical need in their outfield, prompting question marks regarding their competitiveness in 2025. Their outfielders, MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel, and Hunter Renfroe, combined for a disappointing 1.0 rWAR last season, falling within the bottom tier of MLB teams. The Royals' failure to land impactful outfield bats has drawn scrutiny, particularly as they aim for a division title and a World Series run.

Analysts argue that while Carlos Estévez bolsters their bullpen alongside Lucas Erceg, the Royals potentially missed significant opportunities to enhance their lineup. With a young star in Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop, the franchise’s future looks bright, but immediate concerns linger over whether they can trust their current outfield group to improve from previous seasons. As Opening Day approaches, the Royals' decisions will come under close evaluation regarding their playoff aspirations.