Kansas City Royals Could Solve Bullpen Problems With Offseason Move

The Kansas City Royals finished 2026 with one of the worst bullpens in baseball, and fixing it is the most urgent item on their offseason checklist. Left-handed reliever Adrian Morejón is set to hit free agency after another strong year with the San Diego Padres, and while there is no confirmed indication the Royals are pursuing him, he is a perfect fit.

Morejón appeared in 76 games for San Diego in 2026, posting a 2.83 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across 86 innings. The 27-year-old struck out 107 batters, won nine games and added three saves.

He also delivered a 2.25 ERA across four postseason innings as the Padres reached the NLDS before falling to the Milwaukee Brewers. Back-to-back seasons with an ERA below 3.00 have established him as one of the more reliable left-handed relievers available this winter.

Kansas City needs exactly that. The Royals finished 69-93, last in the American League Central and 16 games behind the division-winning Cleveland Guardians. The bullpen posted a 5.07 ERA, second-highest in the majors, and blew 26 saves.

Closer Carlos Estévez missed nearly the entire season due to injury, and his club option looks unlikely to be picked up. Matt Strahm was designated for assignment after posting a 7.32 ERA.

Lucas Erceg finished with a 5.59 ERA and six blown saves, and it is unclear whether he can bounce back. The Royals did not have a reliable high-leverage arm for most of the season, and it showed.

Late innings were where games were lost. Adding Morejón would not fix everything, but it would give Kansas City a legitimate, high-strikeout left-hander capable of handling the seventh or eighth inning on a consistent basis. That matters for a roster that could not protect leads all year.

The financial side will be the biggest factor. Morejón earned $3.9 million in 2026 and is going to draw interest from multiple clubs. San Diego has plenty of reasons to retain him, and he is expected to earn an expensive contract this offseason. Kansas City will need to be aggressive if it wants to compete for his services.

There is no shortage of needs in Kansas City this winter. The rotation is also a concern after Cole Ragans underwent left elbow surgery. But the bullpen is the top priority. The Royals cannot keep handing leads off to arms that likely belong in the minor leagues. Morejón is one of the better options available to help change that.