{"id":2267549,"date":"2026-02-05T05:29:50","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T05:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2267549"},"modified":"2026-02-05T05:29:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T05:29:50","slug":"angels-lose-10-year-veteran-silver-slugger-to-royals-in-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/angels-lose-10-year-veteran-silver-slugger-to-royals-in-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Angels Lose 10-Year Veteran Silver Slugger to Royals in Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_4\"><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6f q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Kansas City Royals have a lot of potential on their roster and within their organization, but they struggled to stay afloat last season. After a miracle run to the postseason in 2024, the Royals struggled to find the same success last season. They had their moments, led by Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and a dominant pitching staff, but they didn&#39;t have enough talent to make a World Series run.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6g q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6h\">The Kansas City Royals have a lot of potential on their roster and within their organization, but they struggled to stay afloat last season. After a miracle run to the postseason in 2024, the Royals struggled to find the same success last season. They had their moments, led by Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and a dominant pitching staff, but they didn&#8217;t have enough talent to make a World Series run.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6i q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p><em>If you like our content,&nbsp;<\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\"><em><strong>choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6j q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6k\"><em>If you like our content,\u00a0<\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\"><em><strong>choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6l q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Royals came into this offseason needing to make a few big moves. They could bolster their bullpen by adding a reliever or two. But the biggest hole on the team is in the starting lineup. The Royals didn&#39;t make any big moves to improve their lineup, but they&#39;ve taken a few chances on low-risk, high-reward options.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6m q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6n\">The Royals came into this offseason needing to make a few big moves. They could bolster their bullpen by adding a reliever or two. But the biggest hole on the team is in the starting lineup. The Royals didn&#8217;t make any big moves to improve their lineup, but they&#8217;ve taken a few chances on low-risk, high-reward options.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6o q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>On Wednesday, the Royals opted to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Royals\/status\/2019063742407778526?s=20\" target=\"_blank\">sign veteran infielder Brandon Drury to minor league deal<\/a>. Drury has spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Angels.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6p q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6q\">On Wednesday, the Royals opted to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Royals\/status\/2019063742407778526?s=20\" target=\"_blank\">sign veteran infielder Brandon Drury to minor league deal<\/a>. Drury has spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Angels.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6r q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Brandon Drury is a solid bounce back candidate for the Royals<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6s q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6t\">Brandon Drury is a solid bounce back candidate for the Royals<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=6u q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_5431,h_3054,x_0,y_0\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/inside_the_royals\/01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=VjqC:mL_1--><!--qv q:id=6w q:key=deAA:7d_2--><!--qv q:s q:sref=6w q:key=--><!--qv q:id=6x q:key=deAA:7d_1--><!--qv q:s q:sref=6x q:key=--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=cHU9:7d_0--><!--qv q:id=6z q:key=deAA:e2_0--><!--qv q:id=70 q:key=B0c2:SZ_1--><\/p>\n<figure q:key=\"9m_3\" q:id=\"71\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=70 q:key=--><!--qv q:s q:sref=6z q:key=--><\/p>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden bg-lightGrey undefined\" on:qvisible=\"q-D3bPHgJl.js#_hW[0]\" q:id=\"72\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 1x, &#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 2x, &#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 1x,&#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 2x, &#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 1x,&#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 2x,&#10;    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5431,h_3054\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FImagnImages%2Fmmsport%2Finside_the_royals%2F01kgmrqywzxdfj3530n5.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/p>\n<p><figcaption q:id=\"74\">Sep 9, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Brandon Drury (23) and first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=75 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Drury has struggled for the last few seasons, though he won a Silver Slugger award in 2022 as he split time between the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres. He was worth 2.7 WAR that season, so it&#39;s no surprise the Angels took a shot on him and signed him.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=76 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"77\">Drury has struggled for the last few seasons, though he won a Silver Slugger award in 2022 as he split time between the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres. He was worth 2.7 WAR that season, so it&#8217;s no surprise the Angels took a shot on him and signed him.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=78 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The veteran infielder would put together a solid campaign in 2023, posting a 2.0 WAR in just over 120 games for the Angels. However, he was horrendous in 2024 and even worse in 2025. Drury played less than 100 games and posted a -2.0 WAR in 2024 before being sent to the minor leagues for the entire season last year.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=79 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7a\">The veteran infielder would put together a solid campaign in 2023, posting a 2.0 WAR in just over 120 games for the Angels. However, he was horrendous in 2024 and even worse in 2025. Drury played less than 100 games and posted a -2.0 WAR in 2024 before being sent to the minor leagues for the entire season last year.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7b q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Royals are going to be hoping for a major bounce back year, which seems unlikely at this point. Still, less than five years ago, Drury was one of the best sluggers in the National League. There&#39;s still some hope that he can turn it around and the Royals aren&#39;t risking much by bringing him in.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7c q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7d\">The Royals are going to be hoping for a major bounce back year, which seems unlikely at this point. Still, less than five years ago, Drury was one of the best sluggers in the National League. There&#8217;s still some hope that he can turn it around and the Royals aren&#8217;t risking much by bringing him in.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_2--><!--qv q:id=7e q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p><em><strong>More MLB: <\/strong><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/royals\/onsi\/news\/mlb-insider-reveals-lucrative-details-in-vinnie-pasquantino-s-contract-zach3\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>MLB Insider Reveals Lucrative Details in Vinnie Pasquantino&#39;s Contract<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong>\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7f q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7g\"><em><strong>More MLB: <\/strong><\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/royals\/onsi\/news\/mlb-insider-reveals-lucrative-details-in-vinnie-pasquantino-s-contract-zach3\" target=\"_blank\"><em><strong>MLB Insider Reveals Lucrative Details in Vinnie Pasquantino&#8217;s Contract<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/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 have a lot of potential on their roster and within their organization, but they struggled to stay afloat last season. After a miracle run to the postseason in 2024, the Royals struggled to find the same success last season. They had their moments, led by Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2267550,"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-2267549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Angels-Lose-10-Year-Veteran-Silver-Slugger-to-Royals-in-Free.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2267549","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=2267549"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2267549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2267551,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2267549\/revisions\/2267551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2267550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2267549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2267549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2267549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}