The Kansas City Royals have not made a major splash in MLB free
agency, yet the front office continues to search for ways to win between the
margins.
On Wednesday, Kansas City made another move, signing utility player
Josh Rojas to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, according
to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Rojas has played seven seasons in MLB, suiting up for the Arizona
Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox. The 31-year-old is a
left-handed hitter with experience across the infield and outfield corners,
though defensive metrics have consistently rated him below average at shortstop
and third base.
His best stretch came with the Diamondbacks, splitting time
between second base, third base and left field. In 2021, Rojas posted a .264
batting average, .341 on-base percentage and .752 OPS with 11 home runs and
44 RBIs across 139 appearances. The Royals are hoping he can rediscover that
level of production if he earns a spot on the 40-man roster.
Kansas City reportedly had interest in Rojas last offseason
before he signed with the White Sox. His stint in Chicago was brief and
disappointing, as he hit just .180/.252/.259 in 69 games before being
designated for assignment and released in August. Despite those struggles, the
Royals see value in his versatility and veteran presence, particularly as they
look to solidify their bench heading into 2026.
The current roster construction leaves room for competition.
Jonathan India is expected to handle second base, Maikel Garcia is locked in at
third, and Isaac Collins projects as the starter in left field.
The club is
also hoping for a breakout from Jac Caglianone in right field. Rojas offers
depth at all of those positions, giving manager Matt Quatraro flexibility
during spring training. If he can rediscover his offensive consistency, he
could carve out a role as a utility option.
This signing reflects Kansas City’s broader offseason
strategy: targeting low-cost veterans who can compete for roster spots while
preserving payroll flexibility. While Rojas is not expected to be a game-changer, his ability to play multiple positions and provide left-handed balance
could prove useful if injuries or underperformance strike the roster.
Ultimately, Rojas will need to hit his way onto the team once spring training
begins. For a Royals club seeking incremental improvements, his signing is another
example of the front office working to strengthen depth without committing to
long-term contracts.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source roundtable.io ’
