The 2022 season marked the sixth consecutive losing season for the Kansas City Royals. The Royals won just 65 games last year, but the organization did see positive growth from future young stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Brady Singer. With that said, here’s a look at how the Royals tweaked its roster for the 2023 campaign.
Related: 2022-23 MLB Offseason Recap: Los Angeles Angels
Notable Additions
- 1B Matt Beaty (MiLB Deal)
- INF Johan Camargo (MiLB Deal)
- LHP Aroldis Chapman
- RHP Jordan Lyles
- LHP Josh Taylor
- LHP Ryan Yarbrough
Aside from a new manager in Matt Quataro, the Royals added two starters in Jordan Lyles and Ryan Yarbrough. Lyles comes to Kansas City via free agency by way of Baltimore, where he went 12-11 with a 4.42 ERA and a 7.2 K/9. Those numbers were not spectacular, but were an improvement from two consecutive disastrous campaigns with Texas. Yarbrough, meanwhile, joins the Royals after two difficult seasons in Tampa.
Kansas City also added two left-handed relievers in Aroldis Chapman and Josh Taylor, the latter of whom was acquired via a trade with Boston. Chapman struggled in The Bronx over the last two seasons, thanks in large part of command problems and diminished velocity. Taylor, on the other hand, will look to get back on the mound after he missed all of the 2022 MLB season.
Notable Subtractions
- LHP Jake Brentz
- SS Adalberto Mondesi
- OF Michael A. Taylor
- RHP Luke Weaver
With Bobby Witt Jr. entrenched at short in Kansas City, toolsy infielder Adalberto Mondesi was moved to Boston in the deal that netted the Royals Josh Taylor. Mondesi wasn’t the only Royal to be moved, as 2021 AL Gold Glove winner Michael A. Taylor will head to Minnesota for the 2023 campaign.
Kansas City also cut ties with left-hander Jake Brentz, who shined in his rookie season in 2021. Brentz posted a 3.66 ERA that season, and struck out 76 batters over 64 innings. The lefty struggled mightily in his sophomore campaign, before undergoing Tommy John surgery this past July.
A Recap
It was a modest winter for the Royals, a team still in a rebuild but one that is beginning to see the fruits of it. Right-hander Brady Singer emerged as the ace of the Royals rotation, while Witt Jr. recorded a 20-20 campaign in his first run in the Majors. MJ Melendez hit just .219 last season, but did crack 18 homers in Kansas City.
The Royals have accumulated a number of talented youngsters for the future, and ultimately Kansas City’s future success will depend on them. Kansas City may not be a playoff contender this season, but the Royals are inching closer.
