Kansas City is seeking slugging help as offseason continues.
The Kansas City Royals finished the 2025 season with an 82-80 record, which placed them third in the American League Central behind the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers.
After making a memorable playoff run in 2024 that ended against the New York Yankees in the ALDS, the Royals took a step backward last year and missed the postseason entirely.
Now, as the offseason continues, Kansas City is looking to add a bat that can provide some real power to a lineup that struggled to score runs.
Bleacher Report's Prediction for the Royals
In a recent article highlighting one realistic option to plug each MLB team's biggest roster hole, Bleacher Report pointed to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as a potential fit for Kansas City.
"Isaac Collins was a solid acquisition in a trade with the Brewers. Lane Thomas is an intriguing buy-low pick up," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote. "But the Royals still need at least one more outfielder or designated hitter who can provide actual slugging prowess. We all know Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger are pipe dreams for this small-market club, but DH Marcell Ozuna might be doable on a one-year deal."
The Royals had a rough time producing offense from the designated hitter spot in 2025, ranking 28th in all of baseball with a 69 wRC+ from that position.
That gap between Kansas City and the rest of the league was significant, and the front office knows addressing it has to be a priority heading into 2026.
Why Ozuna Makes Sense
Ozuna had a down year in 2025 with the Atlanta Braves, hitting just .232 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI while dealing with a hip injury for much of the season.
His home run total dropped from 39 the year before, and his OPS fell from .925 to .756.
However, the 35-year-old still showed he can be a dangerous hitter when healthy, and his walk rate jumped to a career-high 15.9 percent.
The three-time All-Star brings a track record of production that the Royals could use.
From 2023 to 2024, Ozuna posted a .289/.364/.552 slash line and finished fourth in National League MVP voting in 2024.
He has 296 career home runs over 13 MLB seasons and has proven he can carry a lineup when he gets going.
For a small-market team like Kansas City, Ozuna on a short-term deal could be the perfect fit.
The Royals already locked up third baseman Maikel Garcia to a five-year extension worth $57.5 million earlier this offseason, so they have money they could put toward adding a proven bat.
Manager Matt Quatraro has emphasized the importance of building a team that can compete right away, and Ozuna could provide an immediate boost to a lineup that scored just 651 runs last season, which ranked fifth-worst in all of Major League Baseball.
Looking Ahead
The Royals have a strong core in place with Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Garcia anchoring the lineup.
They also have a deep rotation featuring Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha.
If Kansas City can add a slugger like Ozuna to provide some pop in the middle of the order, they could have what it takes to get back to the postseason in 2026.