Royals owner John Sherman spoke with MLB.com’s Anne Rogers and discussed a variety of topics related to the club. He expressed support for general manager JJ Picollo and manager Matt Quatraro. He expressed optimism about the club’s development trend, while pointing out that they need to do more. He also said he would like it Salvador Perez Staying at the club seemed inevitable.
Perhaps most notably for fans, he said the payroll is “in a good place.” Rodgers noted that Piccolo said last week that he and Sherman had not discussed a specific wage number, but added that the club now has “adequate” wages and that it is management’s responsibility to “make that number work.”
These comments seem to indicate that wages in 2026 will likely remain in a similar range to 2025. According to RosterResource, the Royals spent $138MM on players this year and committed $127MM to the club next year, which does not appear to include Perez’s $13.5MM club option. This option has a $2MM buyout fee, so picking this option would add $11.5MM to the club’s books.
That would put the Royals fairly close to being on this year’s payroll before taking any action, but not all arbitration-eligible players will be offered contracts. In MLBTR’s latest offseason outlook on the Royals, Jonathan India, Kyle Wright, Belifalt, Sam Long, michael massey, Jordan Melendez and James MacArthur Listed as a non-tender candidate. If everyone is waived, it’s expected to save $18.9MM, although the Royals likely won’t waive every name on the roster. A deal or two might also bring more breathing room.
Time will tell exactly how things pan out, but it doesn’t look like management will have a ton of powder. Going into 2026, adding offense is a goal for Kansas City and a concern every year. Pitchers have a combined 3.73 ERA this year, which ranks sixth among MLB teams. But the Bats’ batting line was .247/.309/.397. The final wRC+ was 93 points, better than eight major league clubs.
If the club does decide to move on from India and/or Messi, second base will likely be the target area, but as is customary with the Royals, the outfield will be the focus. Club bolsters their strength on grass with mid-season deals Mike Yastrzemski, Randall Grichuk and Adam Fraser But all three are impending free agents. This would overshadow their ranks, including Jacques Caglianone, Kyle Isbell, John Reiff, Drew Waters and some others.
The protagonists of free agency are Kyle Tuckerbut no one would have thought the Royals would compete there. guys like Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham Also probably a little out of their price range. pursue someone like this Harrison Bader, Cedric Mullins Or bringing back Yastrzemski should be more.
There may also be some possibilities in the trade market. The Cardinals appear to be entering a rebuilding phase and could develop players such as Lars Nootbar or Alec Burleson available. Twins may also take a step back, so Trevor Lanark or Matt Wallner It might be there. More possibilities are sure to emerge in the coming weeks and months.
Details will become clearer as the offseason approaches, but the Royals will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 82-80 season. “We’re excited about the future and I feel good about it,” Sherman said. “It’s hard to look at this season in isolation. When you think about what we’ve accomplished over the past few years, I’m very pleased with the fact that the team has turned around. We’re going in the right direction. We should be proud of that. But we’re also very dissatisfied.”
Photos courtesy of Denny Medley, Imagn Images
