5 Unstoppable KC Royals Moves for an Epic 2025 Season
The KC Royals are on the verge of greatness. We break down 5 bold, unstoppable moves that could transform them into true contenders for an epic 2025 season.
Jake Sterling
A lifelong baseball analyst and Royals fan covering the team's journey back to contention.
The roar is back at Kauffman Stadium. After years of rebuilding, the Kansas City Royals didn't just turn a corner in 2024; they hit the gas and reminded everyone what winning baseball feels like in the heart of America. The energy is electric, the young core is thrilling, and for the first time in a long time, the future feels blindingly bright.
But being a fun, surprising team is one thing. Becoming a legitimate, year-in, year-out contender is another. The foundation is set with MVP-candidate Bobby Witt Jr., ace-in-the-making Cole Ragans, and a cast of hungry, talented players. Now, it's time for the front office to make the bold, strategic moves that push this team over the top.
This isn't about a fantasy wish list. This is a realistic roadmap. Here are the five unstoppable moves the Royals need to make for an epic, playoff-bound 2025 season.
1. Find a Co-Ace for Cole Ragans
Cole Ragans is a certified dude. His explosive fastball and wipeout slider have made him one of the most dominant left-handers in the American League. But look at every recent World Series champion—they almost all feature a formidable one-two punch at the top of their rotation. Ragans needs a running mate.
The current rotation, with solid arms like Seth Lugo and Brady Singer, provides depth and reliability. However, to compete with the Houstons and Baltimores of the world in a five-game series, you need another arm that can unequivocally shut down an opposing lineup. This is the single biggest move that can raise the team's ceiling from a Wild Card hopeful to a true divisional threat.
Whether it's through a blockbuster trade for a controllable, top-tier starter or an aggressive pursuit in free agency, General Manager J.J. Picollo needs to be willing to pay the price. Landing a legitimate No. 2 starter—a true 1B to Ragans' 1A—transforms the entire psychological makeup of the team. Every series, you feel like you have a clear advantage in at least two of the games. That's how championships are built.
2. Acquire a True Middle-of-the-Order Outfield Bat
Speed? Check. Athleticism? Check. Consistent, game-changing power from the outfield? That's the missing piece. While players like Kyle Isbel provide Gold Glove-caliber defense in center, and others show flashes, the Royals lineup is still one big bat short of being truly fearsome.
Vinnie Pasquantino is a professional hitter and an on-base machine at first base, and Bobby Witt Jr. does it all. But imagine slotting a proven 25-30 home run threat into the fifth or sixth spot in the order. It changes everything. It provides protection for the guys hitting in front of him and creates the kind of lineup depth that wears opposing pitchers down.
"You can't just rely on stringing together three singles to score," an AL scout recently noted. "In October, you need someone who can change the scoreboard with one swing. The Royals are one of those guys away from having a top-tier offense."
This move would likely mean shifting MJ Melendez to a primary DH/backup catcher role, where his defensive liabilities are minimized and his bat can play up. A corner outfielder who can provide both power and competent defense would be the perfect complement to the existing roster, balancing the lineup and adding a much-needed dimension of raw power.
3. Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Yesterday
This isn't an acquisition, but it's arguably the most critical move the Royals can make for their long-term success. Bobby Witt Jr. is not just a star; he's a supernova. He's the face of the franchise, the engine of the team, and the kind of talent that comes around once in a generation.
Waiting is not an option. Every day that passes, his price tag goes up. The Royals have a golden opportunity to lock in their cornerstone for the next decade, sending a powerful message to the fanbase, the clubhouse, and the rest of the league: We are serious about winning, and we are building around our superstar.
Look at the precedent set by teams like the Seattle Mariners with Julio Rodríguez or the Arizona Diamondbacks with Corbin Carroll. They identified their leader and committed to him early. The effect is twofold:
- It creates cost certainty for future payrolls, allowing the front office to plan and build around a known figure.
- It ignites the fanbase and shows homegrown players that loyalty and performance will be rewarded in Kansas City.
An extension for Witt Jr. would be the bedrock upon which this new era of Royals baseball is built. It's the move that secures the future and makes all the other moves even more impactful.
4. Add Another Elite, High-Leverage Reliever
The resurgence of the Royals' bullpen has been a massive part of their success. James McArthur has emerged as a legitimately dominant closer, and arms like John Schreiber and Will Smith have provided stability. But as the old baseball saying goes, you can never have enough pitching.
Playoff teams shorten games. By the seventh inning, they bring in a parade of power arms that make comebacks feel impossible. The Royals are close, but they need one more piece to create a truly elite bullpen trio. They need a proven, high-leverage setup man who can handle the 7th or 8th inning, regardless of the situation.
This move accomplishes a few things:
- It takes the pressure off McArthur and Schreiber, keeping them fresh for a 162-game season and a potential postseason run.
- It gives manager Matt Quatraro more flexibility to play matchups in the late innings.
- It demoralizes opponents. Knowing you have to face three shutdown relievers in a row is a daunting task.
This doesn't have to be the most expensive reliever on the market, but it should be a veteran with a track record of success in high-pressure spots. This is the kind of savvy, under-the-radar signing that pays huge dividends in September and October.
5. Optimize the Catcher Position & Weaponize Speed
This is a two-part move focused on maximizing the roster's unique strengths. First, let's talk about Salvador Perez. Salvy is a Royals legend, a World Series MVP, and the heart and soul of the team. He's also a phenomenal hitter who is at his best when he's fresh.
A New Role for a Legend
As he's gotten older, his defensive metrics behind the plate—particularly pitch framing and blocking—have declined. The solution isn't to replace him, but to optimize him. By acquiring a defense-first, athletic catcher to split time behind the plate, the Royals can accomplish two goals. They can provide their pitching staff with an elite defender to steal strikes and control the run game, while also moving Salvy to a primary DH role. A fresh, healthy Salvador Perez getting 500+ at-bats as a DH is a terrifying thought for opposing pitchers and a massive win for the Royals' offense.
Unleash the Chaos
Secondly, the Royals must fully embrace their identity. With players like Bobby Witt Jr., Dairon Blanco, and others, they have team speed that most clubs can only dream of. In 2025, they need to weaponize it. This means leading the league in stolen bases, taking the extra base, and putting constant pressure on the defense. This brand of aggressive, chaotic baseball is perfectly suited for their roster and for the spacious gaps at Kauffman Stadium. It's a key part of their DNA, and they need to lean into it completely.
The Kansas City Royals are no longer a feel-good story; they are a team on the cusp. The young talent has arrived, the culture has shifted, and a winning mindset has taken hold. By making these five strategic moves—securing a co-ace, adding a power bat, extending their superstar, deepening the bullpen, and optimizing the roster's unique strengths—the Royals can transform from a fun surprise into a force to be reckoned with. The time is now. Let's make 2025 epic.