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While we\u2019re in the thick of Hot Stove season in the MLB calendar, some days make it seem like the American League Central\u2019s pilot light is out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Although the Guardians have added a variety of relievers and the White Sox made an uncharacteristic splash, the division has largely been quiet compared to more marquee divisions like the American League East\u00a0 or National League West.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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And while Kyle Tucker\u2019s signing with the Dodgers opened the transaction floodgates<\/a>, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently poured some cold water<\/a> on the Royals chances of adding to their roster, which should be good news to Guardians fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although the Royals have already added to their outfield this offseason by signing Lane Thomas in free agency<\/a> and trading for Isaac Collins, Rosenthal wrote that they were trying to acquire both Brendan Donovan and Jarren Duran via the trade market \u2014 to little success.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Kansas City Royals are increasingly unlikely to land either of the two hitters they pursued in trades: the St. Louis Cardinals\u2019 Brendan Donovan and Boston Red Sox\u2019s Jarren Duran. Barring further moves, the Royals expect to rely heavily on offseason acquisitions Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas in their outfield, as well as rookie Jac Caglianone and holdover Kyle Isbel,<\/em>\u201d Rosenthal wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Last season the Royals\u2019 outfield was among baseball\u2019s worst, as they combined for a batting average of .219 and a wRC+ of 70. While that picture should be better next season thanks to the additions of Thomas and Collins<\/a>, adding Durran or Donovan would make that picture even better.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The other part of that equation is how much both of them could potentially help the Guardians. Donovan\u2019s name first hit Guardians\u2019 fans ears earlier this offseason when Jeff Passan labeled him as the \u201cperfect fit\u201d for the Guardians<\/a>, and he continues to be that perfect fit given the team\u2019s lack of outfield additions this offseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although Donovan wouldn\u2019t help the Guardians\u2019 lefty-heavy lineup, he\u2019d be able to play at both second base and left field, which are two clear areas of need on Cleveland\u2019s roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Duran, on the other hand, is a pure centerfielder who would give the Guardians a mix of power and speed<\/a> that they haven\u2019t had from the position since Grady Sizemore was at his peak 20 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Even though Duran is 29, he\u2019s still under team control for three years and already has an All-Star MVP under his belt. <\/p>\n <\/p>\nIt looks like the Royals outfield won\u2019t be much better than the Guardians\u2019 in 2026\u00a0<\/h2>\n