Four Royals Hit Free Agency as Kansas City Offseason Begins

The Kansas City Royals saw four players officially become free agents on Thursday, one day after the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series.

Second baseman Jonathan India, pitcher Craig Kimbrel, catcher Luke Maile and third baseman Josh Rojas all elected free agency, according to MLB's official transaction log.

India is the biggest name of the four, and the Royals acquired him before the 2025 season in a trade that sent pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds, and they brought him back for 2026 on an $8 million deal to avoid arbitration.

That second season lasted only 17 games, as India had surgery on his left shoulder in April after dealing with shoulder trouble for a long time.

Manager Matt Quatraro explained the decision at the time, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers.

"Just had gotten to a point where it was really difficult for him to compete at the highest level, and for the future of his career, he needed to get this taken care of. I'm happy for him that he can. It's a blow to us, but at the same time, he wasn't himself out there," Quatraro said.

India hit .167 in those 17 games, and his time in Kansas City never went the way either side hoped.

There is a fair look back at his Royals tenure that covers the full picture, but at this point the bigger question is who plays second base next year.

Second baseman Michael Massey is a Gold Glove finalist this year, with winners set to be announced on Sunday, so Kansas City already has a strong option there.

Kimbrel made 13 appearances for Kansas City with a 3.65 ERA, Maile played in 19 games and hit .159, and Rojas played in 44 games and hit .226.

None of the three was a core piece, but each one gave the Royals depth during a long season that ended at 69-93, and I would not expect the front office to make a big push to bring any of them back.

It has been a busy week overall.

The Royals made decisions on their club options on Thursday, declining the $13 million option on pitcher Carlos Estévez and picking up a $2.5 million option on pitcher Tony Gonsolin, which comes after three pitchers elected free agency earlier in October.

The calendar moves fast from here, and MLB.com reported the Royals are not expected to make a qualifying offer, but they will be in the free agent market, and the General Managers Meetings run Nov. 10-12 in Las Vegas, with the tender deadline coming on Nov. 20.

I would put the bullpen first.

Kansas City finished 29th in the majors with a 5.07 bullpen ERA, and losing Kimbrel and Estévez only adds to that list of needs.

The Royals also need more starting pitching, so I see this group leaving as a chance to clear room for a front office with a lot of work to do before spring training.