{"id":2134830,"date":"2025-11-04T16:07:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2134830"},"modified":"2025-11-04T16:07:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T16:07:11","slug":"kansas-city-royals-face-key-offseason-choice-on-12-year-veteran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/kansas-city-royals-face-key-offseason-choice-on-12-year-veteran\/","title":{"rendered":"Kansas City Royals Face Key Offseason Choice On 12-Year Veteran"},"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=\"_0emftcrgz\">The Kansas City Royals are entering a crucial offseason after finishing third in the American League Central and missing the postseason. Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, the team\u2019s biggest concern remains the offense, which <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1gn6yjz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/stats\/team\/regular-season\" target=\"_blank\">produced just 651 runs<\/a>\u2014the third-lowest total in the American League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_1l6s4d254\">Even after adding Mike Yastrzemski and Randal Grichuk during the season, run production didn\u2019t improve much. Now, both outfielders are free agents, and the Royals must decide whether to bring Grichuk back or move in another direction. His <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_1gn6yjz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/royals\/news\/michael-lorenzen-randal-grichuck-royals-free-agents-options-declined\" target=\"_blank\">mutual option was declined<\/a>, but a return isn\u2019t out of the question. Here\u2019s one reason to keep him\u2014and one reason to let him walk.<\/p>\n<div data-mm-id=\"_qm0ja9tgi\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"style_120ff32\">\n<figure data-id=\"_qm0ja9tgi\" 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_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 1x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 2x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 1x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 2x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_620,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 1x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 2x, https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_1240,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01k97mh8zjrm518t4gtz.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\"\/><\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><figcaption class=\"tagStyle_1ulimm5-o_O-text_1j8vahs\">Sep 20, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Randal Grichuk (15) slaps hands with Kansas City Royals first base coach Damon Hollins (39) after getting on first base during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images \/ William Purnell-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=\"_9jp7s3hyp\">Keeping the veteran outfielder around as a platoon bat for at least one more season could make sense for Kansas City. He wouldn\u2019t need to be an everyday player, and when paired with someone like Yastrzemski, he could provide value against left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_5rdswlll8\">Grichuk\u2019s power from the right side and his ability to play all three outfield spots make him a useful depth piece. In the right role, he can help stretch the lineup and offer veteran leadership to a young Royals roster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_yf72hrfk0\">Financially, he\u2019s also a low-risk option. The small-market Royals aren\u2019t expected to pursue expensive free agents such as Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, or Kyle Schwarber, so retaining Grichuk on an affordable deal could make sense while the front office explores other upgrades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_uuipub8ai\">That said, there are strong arguments for letting Grichuk go. The 33-year-old outfielder struggled in 2025, hitting just .228\/.273\/.401 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and a .674 OPS. Kansas City can likely find more productive options on the market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_5o3jchl2a\">A player like Harrison Bader, for example, brings elite defense, speed, and everyday value at a reasonable cost. Adding a consistent bat or glove-first outfielder could give the Royals the spark they need to retool their lineup heading into 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_4etncan5j\">The Royals can\u2019t afford to run it back with the same group that fell short in 2025. Whether they keep Grichuk as a platoon option or move on entirely, this offseason will be about surrounding Bobby Witt Jr. and the young core with the right pieces to return to contention in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_ze2e3k995\"><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-expected-to-bring-back-nine-time-all-star-as-2026-plans-take-shape-curt9\"><em><strong>Royals Expected To Bring Back Nine-Time All-Star As 2026 Plans Take Shape<\/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>The Kansas City Royals are entering a crucial offseason after finishing third in the American League Central and missing the postseason. Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, the team\u2019s biggest concern remains the offense, which produced just 651 runs\u2014the third-lowest total in the American League. Even after adding Mike Yastrzemski and Randal Grichuk during the season, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2134831,"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-2134830","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\/Kansas-City-Royals-Face-Key-Offseason-Choice-On-12-Year-Veteran.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134830","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=2134830"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2134832,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134830\/revisions\/2134832"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2134831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2134830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2134830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2134830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}