Kansas City Royals Pursuit of Outfield Help
The Kansas City Royals have faced challenges in bolstering their outfield lineup during the free agency period. Despite their efforts, the team has struggled to secure the desired additions to their roster, leading to a familiar outfield composition for the upcoming season. This situation comes after the Royals ranked 29th in outfielder fWAR among all Major League Baseball teams in 2024.
Adam Duvall’s Rejection of Contract Offer
Among the players targeted by the Royals was veteran outfielder Adam Duvall. The team extended a one-year, $1 million guaranteed contract offer to Duvall, with the potential for additional earnings through performance bonuses. However, Duvall declined the offer, citing his preference for a guaranteed minimum of $3 million, equivalent to his previous season’s earnings with the Atlanta Braves.
Duvall, a seasoned 11-year major league outfielder, faced a challenging 2024 season, marked by a subpar performance with a .569 OPS and a -1.4 rWAR in 104 games. Despite this, his strong showing in 2023 with the Boston Red Sox, where he recorded 21 home runs and a 119 OPS+ in 94 games, attracted interest from the Royals. The team intended to utilize Duvall primarily against left-handed pitchers, a matchup in which he historically excelled.
The likelihood of the Royals increasing their offer to meet Duvall’s financial expectations remains uncertain as the season approaches. Given Duvall’s recent performance and salary demands, securing a deal with another team before the start of the season presents a challenge. The rejection of Duvall’s contract offer underscores the Royals’ ongoing struggle to reinforce their outfield roster effectively.
