Perla Paredes at MLB.com writes about Michael Massey’s breakout season and what it means for the Royals
.Nick Loftin also provides additional flexibility after spending time at second base, third base and right field this season. The Royals relied on him heavily at third while Maikel Garcia dealt with injuries, and Loftin earned his own Gold Glove finalist selection for his work at the hot corner.
Kansas City could still explore ways to add offensive production this winter, particularly with the team
also looking for another bat to complement its established core. The club’s biggest priorities, however, remain rebuilding its bullpen and adding starting pitching.
That doesn’t necessarily rule out an addition at second base if the right opportunity arises.
David Lesky has his free agent predictions.
You can see that I have the Royals signing Ian Happ. It’s not what I’d do, but their outfield defense wasn’t great last year, and Happ is a great defensive fit. I have concerns about his bat and whether he’ll be enough to help the lineup, but he was really good against righties last year, hitting .241/.358/.458. It does not help with their issues against lefties. He hit .145/.217/.267 in 144 plate appearances against them last season. It wasn’t quite so bad in 2025, so it could’ve been a fluke. He hit .305/.350/.438 against lefties in 2023, so he has the ability, but that was a long time ago. So no, I don’t love the idea, but I get it.
Jim Callis at MLB Pipeline ranks rookies on their long-term value.
7. Carter Jensen, C, Royals (age 22)
Jensen is just the fifth rookie catcher to combine at least 27 homers and a 120 OPS+, following Rudy York (1937), Earl Williams (1971), Matt Nokes (1987) and Mike Piazza (1993). Jensen is a better defender behind the plate than all of them and younger than all but Williams, who edged him by 11 days.
Carson Roccaforte won a minor league Gold Glove.
Owners propose delaying a salary cap until 2028.
World Series TV ratings were down, but still better than in many recent years.
The Mariners hire front office exec Jason Kanzler as their new manager.
The Rays plan to hold onto Drew Rasmussen.
The Rangers could move some of their biggest stars.
The Orioles are open to trading most of their roster.
Texas outfielder Evan Carter has surgery and will miss the start of next season.
Teams have until December 1 to sign posted Japanese free agents.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter will sell his F1 stake.
Jay Jaffe at FanGraphs looks at the Contemporary Era Hall of Fame ballot.
Former MLB star Mark Teixeira won a seat to Congress.
Former MLB pitcher Matt Shoemaker wins his school board race by 28 votes.
Miami is atop the first College Football Playoff rankings.
The New York Liberty fire coach Chris DeMarco after just one season.
Scientists find dinosaur blood in fossils for the first time.
CVS will split into two companies in one of the largest corporate splits in history.
The Simpsons has a new voice behind Apu.
Your song of the day is Empire of the Sun with Walking on a Dream.
