{"id":2130810,"date":"2025-11-02T18:37:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T18:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2130810"},"modified":"2025-11-02T18:37:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T18:37:11","slug":"royals-expected-to-bring-back-nine-time-all-star-as-2026-plans-take-shape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/royals-expected-to-bring-back-nine-time-all-star-as-2026-plans-take-shape\/","title":{"rendered":"Royals Expected To Bring Back Nine-Time All-Star As 2026 Plans Take Shape"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"style_hfl21i-o_O-style_uhlm2\"\/>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_u8i3ste6f\">With the 2025 World Series now in the books, the Kansas City Royals are officially shifting their focus to the 2026 season, and one of their first big offseason decisions involves franchise legend Salvador Perez.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_tugsgwpxl\">The Royals finished 82\u201380 this past season, good for third place in the AL Central, but their offense struggled to produce consistently. Scoring just 651 runs, the third-fewest in the American League, made it clear that upgrades \u2014 or a few key returns are necessary if Kansas City hopes to reach the postseason again in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_w8zgtp9m3\">One of those key returns will almost certainly be their captain behind the plate. According to Anne Rogers of <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1gn6yjz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/royals\/news\/royals-2025-2026-offseason-faq\" target=\"_blank\">MLB.com<\/a>, the Royals are expected to bring back Perez, but they might not simply exercise his club option for 2026.<\/p>\n<div data-mm-id=\"_zl0leqm75\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"style_120ff32\">\n<figure data-id=\"_zl0leqm75\" class=\"base_1ruub6q\" data-mm-type=\"image\"><canvas class=\"style_1e28o3x-o_O-initial_9vayoh\"\/><picture class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\"><source\/><source\/><source\/><img class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\" alt=\"Royals\" title=\"Royals\"\/><\/picture><noscript><picture class=\"base_1emrqjj\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 1x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 2x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 1x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 2x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 1x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 2x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5120,h_2880,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k92q3hk59h9j1h7wmt.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\"\/><\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><figcaption class=\"tagStyle_1ulimm5-o_O-text_1j8vahs\">Sep 23, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA;  Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) smiles after catching a pop foul during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images \/ Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_e0kfqx191\">\u201cThe interesting one here is Perez; he\u2019ll be back either way next season, but the Royals could opt to renegotiate a new contract with their captain rather than simply pick up the option,\u201d Rogers wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_0omwby63w\">Perez, now 35, continued to <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1gn6yjz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/player\/salvador-perez-521692?msockid=0e91e2f7a62e6b79374af007a7866a89\" target=\"_blank\">show his trademark power<\/a> and leadership in 2025, slashing .236\/.284\/.446 with 30 home runs, 100 RBI, and a .729 OPS. Even in his mid-30s, the nine-time All-Star remains one of the Royals\u2019 most consistent run producers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_8w05fewd7\">It\u2019s hard to imagine the Royals without Perez \u2014 and fortunately for fans, it doesn\u2019t appear they\u2019ll have to. Instead of letting the option process play out, Kansas City seems more inclined to reward him with a new contract that keeps him in a Royals uniform for at least one more year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_btiooi67o\">Perez\u2019s presence goes far beyond the numbers. A five-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger, he remains a clubhouse leader and mentor for the team\u2019s young core, including Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen. His veteran experience and championship pedigree from the Royals\u2019 2015 World Series run continue to set the tone for the organization.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_qre06h3jo\">As the Royals look to build a more competitive roster for 2026, having Perez back in the fold is both a sentimental and strategic move. His leadership, power, and connection with the fan base make him an essential piece of Kansas City\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_3vzttnw80\">One thing is clear, that Perez isn\u2019t going anywhere, and Royals fans can expect their captain to be back behind the plate next season, leading the charge for a return to playoff contention.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_f78k9r2z7\"><em><strong>More MLB: <\/strong><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1gn6yjz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/royals\/onsi\/news\/royals-facing-decision-on-young-outfielder-after-poor-2025-season-curt9\"><em><strong>Royals Facing Decision On Young Outfielder After Poor 2025 Season<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.si.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the 2025 World Series now in the books, the Kansas City Royals are officially shifting their focus to the 2026 season, and one of their first big offseason decisions involves franchise legend Salvador Perez. The Royals finished 82\u201380 this past season, good for third place in the AL Central, but their offense struggled to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2130811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2130810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Royals-Expected-To-Bring-Back-Nine-Time-All-Star-As-2026-Plans.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2130810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2130810"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2130810\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2130812,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2130810\/revisions\/2130812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2130811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2130810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2130810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2130810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}