Jaylon Thompson writes about the Royals players hitting free agency this week.
He also writes about the decision the Royals will have to make on Salvador Perez’s club option.
Perez is expected to stay with
the Royals in 2026. Royals general manager J.J. Picollo made that stance clear following the conclusion of the regular season.
“I think it’s safe to say that one way or another, Salvy will be in a Royals uniform in ‘26,” Picollo said. “What we do beyond that is still to be determined. But there are some things that we still need to work through and talk about.”
The Royals will take a deeper look at Perez’s long-term future. There’s a $13.5 million club option that Perez could play on after his production remained steady in his age-35 season.
David Schoenfield at ESPN looks at the best fits for free agents, like Bo Bichette.
OK, can the Royals realistically afford to sign Bichette? Probably not, but a double-play combination of Bobby Witt Jr. and Bichette would be a lot of fun, and Bichette’s style of hitting would be a good fit for that park. Royals second basemen hit just .236 with 11 home runs, and we know the lineup needs something else. The Royals aren’t the Pittsburgh Pirates or Tampa Bay Rays. They will spend some money — although there isn’t much wiggle room based on the 2025 payroll — and there is a contention window right now with their current rotation.
Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com writes about Daniel Vazquez, who hit his second home run in the Arizona Fall League.
“I was getting ready for the sinker,” Vazquez said. “He attacked me with the sinker in the first at-bat, then I made the adjustment. He got the better of me in that first at-bat, then I got him in that at-bat.”
It wasn’t a cheapy, either. Vazquez’s blast was 106.1 mph off the bat and traveled 392 feet, according to Statcast, landing on the berm beyond the left-center field fence. And the sinker came from Top 100 pitching prospect Rhett Lowder, who has big league time, to boot.
“It’s a lot different whenever you face guys like him,” Vazquez said. “I faced him one time in instructs, so I was ready for that.”
The Royals are asking for feedback frrom some fans on a new ballpark site.
The survey, which will be emailed only to certain fans, includes potential sites for a new ballpark and surrounding development downtown/near downtown, Clay County/North Kansas City, and Johnson County/Overland Park.
“We are constantly engaging with and listening to our fans,” Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman said.
“Their feedback is a crucial part of how we present our games in person or through television and other media. Their voices will also play an important and meaningful role as we determine where we play games for the next 50 years. We’re grateful for their support and help.”
FOX4 asked if other fans can sign up for the survey, but a spokesperson for the Royals said they’re intentionally only asking for feedback from fans who have “supported us the most.”
Overland Park mayoral candidates chime in on a potential Royals ballpark.
“It would depend. It depends on what the project is,” Skoog replied. “So, the project would have to work for Overland Park, and we don’t have any details, so I don’t know. Do I think Major League Baseball can work in Overland Park? I think it can with the right plan, and we have to deal with the issues that come with that. Issue number one, two, and three is traffic, traffic, traffic.”
At Royals Keep, Kevin O’Brien writes about potential Royals free agent targets.
Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman writes about World Series standouts the Royals should take a look at.
World Series Game 7 was the most-watched baseball game since 2017.
The Braves name Walt Weiss as their new manager.
The Marlins name Gabe Kapler as general manager.
Bobby Witt Jr. is not named as an MVP finalist, although Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are.
Alex Bregman, Edwin Diaz, and Cody Bellinger are some of the players to opt out of their contracts.
Boston’s Lucas Giolito declines his mutual option.
Some of the top trade candidates this winter.
Way-too-early 2026 power rankings.
The Rockies talk to pitcher Adam Ottavino about running baseball operations.
The Rays get outfielder Ryan Vilade from the Reds.
Which teams have the best shot to dethrone the Dodgers?
A look at the history behind some of sports’ most memorable TV theme songs.
UFC releases fighter Isaac Dulgarian amidst a gambling probe.
OpenAI signs a $38 billion compute deal with Amazon.
Peanut allergies have plummeted after doctors reversed their advice.
The new Doctor Who spinoff won’t hit the U.S. until 2026.
Your song of the day is Tommy Newport with Risky Business.
