Kansas City could look to trade Kris Bubic to acquire outfield help, but here's why they should hold onto their All-Star lefty.
The Kansas City Royals finished the 2025 season with an 82-80 record, missing the postseason after their exciting run in 2024.
Now, as the club heads into the offseason, their main priority is clear: upgrade the outfield.
The latest buzz around the Winter Meetings has the Royals linked to Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers, and according to a report from Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Kansas City is one of several teams showing interest.
Multiple Teams Eyeing Meyers
McTaggart wrote about the growing interest in Meyers as the Astros look to add starting pitching this winter.
"Brown wouldn't address the Meyers rumor specifically, but sources say the White Sox, Dodgers, Reds and Royals are interested in the 29-year-old who's under team control for two more seasons. The Royals would like to add an outfielder, and All-Star lefty Kris Bubic is perhaps their likeliest trade candidate."
The Astros, who went 87-75 and narrowly missed the playoffs in 2025, are looking to retool after an injury-riddled year.
Meyers is coming off the best season of his career, slashing .292/.354/.373 with a 103 OPS+ in 104 games and earning 2.4 WAR.
His excellent glove in center field makes him an attractive target, and with two years of team control remaining before free agency in 2028, he fits the profile of a player the Royals could use to upgrade their outfield immediately.
Kansas City's Offseason Plans
The Royals have made it known that they want to add multiple outfielders this winter, with general manager J.J. Picollo expressing a willingness to trade from his rotation depth to make it happen.
Kansas City is also exploring free agent options like Harrison Bader and Adolis García, but the team may be priced out on some of the bigger names on the market after Mike Yastrzemski signed with Atlanta for two years and $23 million.
A trade for Meyers would give the Royals a right-handed hitting outfielder who can play all three spots in the outfield and provides the kind of defensive reliability that manager Matt Quatraro values.
However, the price may come from the pitching staff, and that's where things get tricky.
Why the Royals Shouldn't Trade Bubic
While Kris Bubic has been mentioned as the most logical trade candidate, Kansas City should think twice before moving their breakout lefty.
Bubic was one of the best pitchers in baseball during the first half of 2025, posting a 2.55 ERA with 116 strikeouts across 20 starts before a left rotator cuff strain ended his season in late July.
The 28-year-old earned his first All-Star selection and was in the AL Cy Young conversation at the time of his injury, finishing with a 3.1 WAR in just 116.1 innings.
Bubic has been cleared to begin a throwing program and is expected to be ready for spring training, but his injury history creates uncertainty that could hurt his trade value and make moving him risky for Kansas City.
The Royals have dealt with significant rotation injuries in recent years, with both Bubic and Cole Ragans missing time with shoulder issues in 2025.
The Royals would be wise to explore other avenues to acquire outfield help rather than giving up on Bubic's potential, even if that means being more creative in trade discussions or waiting for the right free agent to come along at the right price.