The Kansas City Royals protected two top-30 prospects from the Rule 5 Draft on Tuesday. MLB.com’s Anne rogers highlights some other Top-30 prospects that are now available for other teams in this winter’s
draft.
Vazquez, a shortstop, had a great Arizona Fall League performance again this fall, but he’s still just 21 years old and in High-A, with offensive pop that he’s just beginning to tap into and needs to maintain at a consistent level. The left-handed Mozzicato was the Royals’ first-round pick in 2021, and he has a Major League-ready curveball. But his command is shaky at best and his fastball is below-average. Cross, the Royals’ first-rounder in ‘22, has had a very up-and-down Minor League journey so far, and the 24-year-old outfielder has not yet reached the offensive profile he held in college at Virginia Tech.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan pours some cold water on Kansas City possibly trading away left-handed pitcher and All-Star Kris Bubic this offseason.
Kris Bubic, LHP, Kansas City: Teams are trying to pluck some of the Royals’ rotation depth, but because of the shoulder injury that prematurely ended Bubic’s season, the offers are expected to be too light for Kansas City to bite.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold clarifies which Royals pitchers the St. Louis Cardinals could acquire in a trade.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that while Kris Bubic had an All-Star season, he isn’t going to be a target for St. Louis with just one year left on his contract. However, another Royals pitcher was brought up by Goold.
“Think along the lines of how the Cardinals would see control beyond the year. [Noah] Cameron would be an example of more years of control, upside. Actually, there are about two, three examples on the KC roster that would come with that kind of fit for the Cardinals, and that’s at least one area they have looked when it comes to the Royals,” Goold wrote.
David Lesky looks at the case for and against extending first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino this offseason.
Every team has big decisions to make, but the teams that don’t play in the big boy payroll sandbox sometimes have bigger ones. Every eight-figure contract needs to be scrutinized the way a family often has to examine what they really need and what they just want. One of those decisions is how to handle extending players beyond their years of control. For a player like Bobby Witt Jr., it’s easy. He’s a franchise changer. And it’s no insult to say that very few players are Bobby Witt Jr., so most of the rest come with the question of whether or not it’s better to just go year-to-year or if it’s wise to lock them in at a rate that represents something of a compromise from both sides.
And that’s part of it too. The player has to be willing to say yes to a deal. I get the feeling that Pasquantino would be willing to say yes to a deal, but I don’t know that for certain. So it has to be a perfect storm, and obviously the less a player is willing to commit long-term, the more the compromise skews toward his number. As I said, I do feel like Pasquantino would be open to it. The player is the driver, but Pasquantino’s agency has been very open to extensions for awhile. They represent guys like Brent Rooker and Brandon Lowe, who have both gotten some deals done. I guess you can find deals for any agency, even Scott Boras, but it still shows they get done.
Sports Illustrated’s Curt Bishop still calls Bubic Kansas City’s “best trade chip” despite Passan’s report.
It’s also risky for the Royals to hold onto Bubic too long. If they wait and he leaves in free agency next winter, they get nothing in return. Trading him now—while his value is high—feels like the smarter long-term move.
Kansas City wants more offense, and they need it fast. With free agency likely out of their price range, flipping Bubic may be the best, and possibly the only, realistic way to upgrade the lineup in a meaningful way.
Kings of Kauffman’s Oliver Vandervoort feels comfortable with Alex Gordon getting another shot at Cooperstown after his first ballot.
Gordon certainly goes into this process with a decorated trophy case to help bolster his chances. He’s a 3-time All-Star, 8-time Gold Glove Award winner, 2-time Platinum Glove Award winner and of course, a 2015 World Series Champion.
Of that group of debut ballot members, Braun and Hamels are really the only other guys who could receive votes. So, it seems like a safe bet to say Gordon will at least get a second chance at the MLB Hall of Fame.
Regardless though, there will still likely be some nerves and fingernail chewing amongst the Royals faithful until the results are made final on Jan. 20.
Royals Keep’s Kevin O’Brien continues with his prospect rankings, including putting new 40-man addition Steven Zobac at 15th.
Conversely, Zobac struggled with the long ball. He gave up a HR/9 of 1.98 and a HR/FB rate of 16% with the Naurals last season. For context, in 55.1 innings in Double-A in 2024, his HR/9 was 0.65 and his HR/FB rate was 6.8%.
The mechanics and control are there for Zobac to be an end-of-the-rotation type at the Major League level. While he doesn’t have an elite offering, his three-pitch mix (fastball, slider, changeup) is solid, sporting decent shape and upside. The main issue is command, which regressed heavily in 2025.
Perhaps Zobac can put his injury issues behind him, recapture that command, and be the pitching prospect he was back in 2024.
The Kansas City Star’s Jaylon Thompson looks at some unsung heroes of the Royals 2025 season following the team awards.
Olathe announces newest addition to their snowplow fleet: Salvador Brrrez.
James Dalfino looks at the “Cole Ragans Fever Dream” and Boston.
Cale Ahearn has an interesting trade between the Royals and Philadelphia Phillies.
Would you trade the Royals for an NBA team in Missouri?
ESPN’s acquisition of MLB.TV is reportedly finalized.
The Women’s Pro Baseball League is set for action in Springfield, Illinois.
The New York Mets designated pitcher Frankie Montas for assignment following Tommy John surgery in September.
Coveted right-hander Tatsuya Imai is now posted and eligible to sign with an MLB team.
Pitcher Chris Murphy traded Red Sox for White Sox in a Tuesday trade.
The NBA warns Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green following a fan confrontation.
Spelling O-h-i-o isn’t complete without dotting the i for the Ohio State marching band.
Have money pouring out of your pockets? Make a bid on a functional, solid gold toilet.
Today’s song of the day is Low by Wage War.
