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Royals KCR

202356–106 (0.346)
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GM: J.J. Picollo

Overview

Ranks vs the 30 teams in 2023, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).

to

Front Office

PoorAverageGreat
Value
Payroll $M
$92M
Surplus $M
-9
Win %
0.346
TAB
-7.4
WAB
-19.5
Roster composition
Roster fWAR
20.8
Dead money %
75%
Depth Players
3.0
Dead WAR
-6.5

Offense

PoorAverageGreat

Pitching & Defense

PoorAverageGreat

Roster

2023 depth chart — stacked by playing time

C

RSalvador Perez91
RFreddy Fermin65
RLogan Porter11
LMJ Melendez10
RTyler Cropley2

1B

LNick Pratto78
LVinnie Pasquantino44
RSalvador Perez23
RMatt Duffy17
LMatt Beaty⇄15
RNick Loftin8
RHunter Dozier5
LMJ Melendez1

2B

LMichael Massey118
RMatt Duffy22
RSamad Taylor12
RNick Loftin7
RMaikel Garcia4

3B

RMaikel Garcia104
RMatt Duffy31
RHunter Dozier17
RNick Loftin4
RSamad Taylor2
RNate Eaton1

SS

RBobby Witt Jr.149
RMaikel Garcia14
RMatt Duffy1

LF

LMJ Melendez58
REdward Olivares54
RDairon Blanco35
LNick Pratto16
RSamad Taylor15
RNate Eaton13
RNelson Velázquez⇄6
LJackie Bradley Jr.6
RFranmil Reyes4
BDrew Waters4
RHunter Dozier2
LNicky Lopez⇄2

CF

LKyle Isbel89
BDrew Waters50
LJackie Bradley Jr.29
RDairon Blanco9
RNate Eaton6
REdward Olivares2
RSamad Taylor1

RF

LMJ Melendez72
BDrew Waters47
RDairon Blanco24
RNelson Velázquez⇄20
LJackie Bradley Jr.10
LNick Pratto5
RHunter Dozier5
RNate Eaton4
REdward Olivares3
LMatt Beaty⇄2
RFranmil Reyes1

DH

REdward Olivares42
RSalvador Perez29
LVinnie Pasquantino17
RNelson Velázquez⇄13
LMJ Melendez12
RFranmil Reyes12
RBobby Witt Jr.10
LMichael Massey9
LMatt Beaty⇄8
BDrew Waters6
RMaikel Garcia5
RMatt Duffy4
RDairon Blanco2
RFreddy Fermin2
RNate Eaton2
RNick Loftin2
RHunter Dozier1
LKyle Isbel1
LNicky Lopez⇄1

Starters

LCole Ragans⇄2.4 WAR
RBrady Singer1.9 WAR
RZack Greinke1.1 WAR
LRyan Yarbrough⇄0.7 WAR
RJames McArthur0.5 WAR
LKris Bubic0.5 WAR
LAustin Cox0.5 WAR
LDaniel Lynch IV0.3 WAR
RCarlos Hernandez0.3 WAR
RJordan Lyles0.2 WAR
RJosh Staumont0.2 WAR
LAngel Zerpa0.1 WAR
RSteven Cruz0.1 WAR
RJose Cuas⇄0.0 WAR
LJosh Taylor0.0 WAR
RJonathan Bowlan-0.0 WAR
RMike Mayers-0.0 WAR
RBrad Keller-0.2 WAR
LTucker Davidson⇄-0.2 WAR
RTaylor Clarke-0.2 WAR
RCollin Snider-0.3 WAR
RDylan Coleman-0.4 WAR
RAlec Marsh-0.5 WAR

Bullpen

★ RCarlos Hernandez4 sv
RTaylor Clarke12 h
LAustin Cox5 h
RNick Wittgren2 h
RScott Barlow⇄0 h
RJose Cuas⇄0 h
LAroldis Chapman⇄0 h
LAmir Garrett0 h

Each position shows its top 3 by games (top = starter) — click "+more" for the rest. The letter is bats/throws; ⇄ marks a player traded mid-season. Starters are ranked by WAR, bullpen by holds; ★ marks the closer (most save chances). MLB Stats API.

Key additions (new vs 2022)

PlayerfWAR
Cole Ragans2.4
Aroldis Chapman1.3
Nelson Velázquez0.7
Ryan Yarbrough0.7
James McArthur0.5
Austin Cox0.5

Key subtractions (gone from 2022)

Player2022 fWAR
Michael A. Taylor1.7
Andrew Benintendi1.4
Whit Merrifield0.5
Emmanuel Rivera0.3
Luke Weaver0.2
Wyatt Mills0.2

Contract Value

WAR translated into tier-adjusted market value, then compared with what the player was paid by Royals. Guaranteed contracts from the 2015-present contract-data period use the known contract period through 2023; everyone else is shown as a 2023 season snapshot.

PlayerPeriodfWARTier Market $MPaid $MSurplus $M$ / WARTierContract
Bobby Witt Jr. 2023 +5.9 +71.2 0.7 +70.5 $0.1M 1.51× –
Cole Ragans↔ 2023 +2.4 +28.8 0.3 +28.5 $0.1M 1.49× Pre-arb extension · 2025–2027 · $4.4M AAV
Brady Singer 2023 +1.9 +22.9 3.0 +19.9 $1.5M 1.49× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $12.8M AAV
Maikel Garcia 2023 +2.2 +14.6 0.6 +14.0 $0.3M 0.85× Arb extension · 2026–2031 · $11.5M AAV
Freddy Fermin 2023 +1.9 +11.5 0.6 +10.8 $0.3M 0.76× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $2.1M AAV
Dairon Blanco 2023 +1.2 +8.3 0.4 +7.8 $0.3M 0.83× –
Kyle Isbel 2023 +1.2 +7.8 0.7 +7.0 $0.6M 0.83× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $2.7M AAV
Drew Waters 2023 +0.9 +6.2 0.7 +5.5 $0.8M 0.83× –
Aroldis Chapman↔ 2023 +1.3 +6.8 1.9 +4.9 $1.5M 0.67× Extension · 2026–2027 · $13.3M AAV
Nelson Velázquez↔ 2023 +0.7 +4.6 0.3 +4.3 $0.4M 0.83× –
Ryan Yarbrough↔ 2023 +0.7 +5.5 1.7 +3.8 $2.5M 1.02× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $2.5M AAV
Edward Olivares 2023 +0.5 +3.4 0.7 +2.6 $1.5M 0.83× –
James McArthur 2023 +0.5 +2.8 0.2 +2.6 $0.4M 0.67× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Carlos Hernández 2023 +0.3 +2.8 0.7 +2.1 $2.8M 1.34× –
Nicky Lopez↔ 2023 +0.7 +4.8 2.7 +2.1 $3.7M 0.83× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Austin Cox 2023 +0.5 +2.4 0.4 +2.0 $0.9M 0.67× –
Daniel Lynch IV 2023 +0.3 +2.6 0.7 +1.9 $2.3M 1.02× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.0M AAV
Kris Bubic 2023 +0.5 +4.1 2.2 +1.9 $4.4M 1.02× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $6.2M AAV
MJ Melendez 2023 +0.4 +2.5 0.7 +1.8 $1.9M 0.83× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.5M AAV
Nick Loftin 2023 +0.4 +1.6 0.1 +1.5 $0.3M 0.56× Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Michael Massey 2023 +0.5 +2.1 0.7 +1.4 $1.5M 0.56× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.6M AAV
Steven Cruz 2023 +0.1 +0.5 0.1 +0.4 $1.2M 0.67× Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Zack Greinke 2023 +1.1 +8.8 8.5 +0.3 $7.8M 1.02× –
Angel Zerpa 2023 +0.1 +0.8 0.7 +0.1 $4.4M 0.67× Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.1M AAV
Logan Porter 2023 +0.0 +0.2 0.1 +0.1 $1.7M 0.52× –
Josh Staumont 2023 +0.2 +0.9 1.0 -0.1 $6.0M 0.67× –
Nick Wittgren 2023 +0.0 +0.2 0.3 -0.1 $9.1M 0.67× –
Vinnie Pasquantino 2023 +0.1 +0.6 0.7 -0.2 $5.6M 0.56× Arb extension · 2026–2027 · $5.5M AAV
John McMillon 2023 +0.1 +0.4 0.7 -0.3 $9.1M 0.67× –
Jonathan Bowlan 2023 -0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.3 – 1.02× Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Jose Cuas↔ 2023 +0.0 +0.2 0.5 -0.3 $15.0M 0.67× –
Mike Mayers 2023 -0.0 -0.2 0.1 -0.3 – 0.67× –
Tyler Cropley 2023 -0.1 -0.4 0.0 -0.4 – 0.52× –
Max Castillo 2023 -0.1 -0.5 0.1 -0.6 – 0.67× –
Scott Barlow↔ 2023 +0.5 +2.6 3.2 -0.6 $6.5M 0.67× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $2.0M AAV
Brooks Kriske 2023 -0.1 -0.7 0.1 -0.7 – 0.67× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Samad Taylor 2023 -0.1 -0.5 0.3 -0.8 – 0.83× –
Josh Taylor 2023 +0.0 +0.0 1.0 -1.0 $131.8M 0.67× –
Jackson Kowar 2023 -0.2 -1.0 0.3 -1.2 – 0.67× –
Taylor Hearn↔ 2023 -0.1 -0.3 0.9 -1.2 – 0.67× –
Tucker Davidson↔ 2023 -0.2 -1.0 0.4 -1.4 – 0.67× –
Matt Beaty↔ 2023 -0.1 -0.6 1.1 -1.7 – 0.56× –
Collin Snider 2023 -0.3 -1.7 0.2 -1.9 – 0.67× –
Matt Duffy 2023 -0.3 -1.3 1.5 -2.8 – 0.58× –
Alec Marsh 2023 -0.5 -2.6 0.4 -3.0 – 0.67× Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV
Dylan Coleman 2023 -0.4 -2.4 0.7 -3.1 – 0.67× –
Nick Pratto 2023 -0.6 -2.9 0.6 -3.5 – 0.56× –
Taylor Clarke 2023 -0.2 -2.4 1.1 -3.6 – 1.34× Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $1.6M AAV
Amir Garrett 2023 -0.2 -1.2 2.6 -3.8 – 0.67× –
Jackie Bradley Jr. 2023 -0.5 -3.6 0.4 -4.0 – 0.83× –
Franmil Reyes 2023 -0.5 -2.9 2.0 -4.9 – 0.69× –
Nate Eaton 2023 -0.8 -5.6 0.7 -6.3 – 0.83× –
Jordan Lyles 2023 +0.2 +1.6 8.5 -6.9 $44.3M 1.02× –
Brad Keller 2023 -0.2 -1.4 5.8 -7.2 – 1.02× Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $11.0M AAV
Hunter Dozier 2023 -0.2 -1.0 7.5 -8.5 – 0.58× –
Salvador Perez 2023 -0.3 -1.1 20.0 -21.1 – 0.52× Extension · 2026–2027 · $12.5M AAV
Anthony Veneziano 2023 +0.0 +0.1 0.0 +0.0 $4.7M 0.67× –
Jonathan Heasley 2023 -0.3 -1.5 – – – 0.67× –
Total—+21.0+197.192.2+106.0—

Trades

Every graded 2023 deal involving the Royals — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 24 total.

2023 · KCR / ATL Nov 17, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
Kyle Wright
ATL · Alex Anthopoulos +$0.0M
Jackson Kowar
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / CHC Jul 31, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$3.2M
Nelson Velázquez
CHC · Jed Hoyer −$3.2M
José Cuas
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / BAL Dec 18, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$1.6M
Cesar Espinal
BAL · Mike Elias −$1.6M
Jonathan Heasley
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · MIL / KCR Dec 14, 2023
MIL · Matt Arnold +$0.0M
Taylor Clarke
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
Ryan Brady, Cam Devanney
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · HOU / KCR Dec 6, 2023
HOU · Dana Brown +$0.0M
Dylan Coleman
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
Carlos Mateo
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · ATL / KCR Nov 17, 2023
ATL · Alex Anthopoulos +$2.4M
cash / PTBNL
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$2.4M
Nick Anderson
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · PHI / KCR Aug 22, 2023
PHI · Dave Dombrowski +$0.0M
Brewer Hicklen
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / SFG Mar 30, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$1.6M
cash / PTBNL
SFG · Farhan Zaidi −$1.6M
Matt Beaty
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · BAL / KCR Jan 3, 2023
BAL · Mike Elias +$40.0M
Ryan O'Hearn
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$40.0M
cash / PTBNL
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / CHW Jul 13, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
CHW · Kenny Williams +$0.0M
Mike Mayers
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · BOS / KCR Jan 24, 2023
BOS · Chaim Bloom +$0.8M
Adalberto Mondesí
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$0.8M
Josh Taylor
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / PHI May 8, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$2.4M
James McArthur
PHI · Dave Dombrowski −$2.4M
Junior Marin
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / LAD Aug 1, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
Devin Mann, Derlin Figueroa
LAD · Andrew Friedman +$0.0M
Ryan Yarbrough
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / BOS Jun 26, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
BOS · Chaim Bloom +$0.0M
Andrés Núñez
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / ATL Mar 30, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
ATL · Alex Anthopoulos +$0.0M
Richard Lovelady
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · BAL / KCR May 18, 2023
BAL · Mike Elias +$0.0M
Robbie Glendinning
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · STL / KCR Feb 8, 2023
STL · John Mozeliak +$0.0M
Anthony Misiewicz
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / PIT Dec 15, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$6.4M
Deivis Nadal
PIT · Ben Cherington −$6.4M
Edward Olivares
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · KCR / BOS Mar 19, 2023
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
BOS · Chaim Bloom +$0.0M
Angel Pierre
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · BAL / KCR Aug 3, 2023
BAL · Mike Elias +$0.0M
Luis Barroso
KCR · J.J. Picollo +$0.0M
cash / PTBNL
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · ANA / KCR Aug 1, 2023
ANA · Perry Minasian +$1.6M
cash / PTBNL
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$1.6M
Tucker Davidson
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · MIN / KCR Jan 24, 2023
MIN · Derek Falvey +$16.0M
Michael Taylor
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$16.0M
Evan Sisk, Steven Cruz
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · ATL / KCR Jul 30, 2023
ATL · Alex Anthopoulos +$0.8M
Nicky Lopez
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$0.8M
Taylor Hearn
Too soon to call unsettled
2023 · SDP / KCR Aug 1, 2023
SDP · AJ Preller +$4.0M
Scott Barlow
KCR · J.J. Picollo −$4.0M
Henry Williams, Jesus Rios
Too soon to call unsettled

Current & Historical Payroll

2023 payroll
$92.4M
2024 guaranteed
$0M

What the front office was committed to as of 2023, 2023–2029. Guaranteed $ are contract commitments signed by 2023; arbitration & free-agent years are projected from service time. Hover a figure for its luxury-tax (CBT) & actual-cash values.

current $ guaranteed $ arbitration (proj) pre-arb (proj) free agent club option player option mutual option vesting option

Guaranteed / signed (9)

PlayerAgeSvc2023202420252026202720282029
Salvador Perez3311.050$20.0MFREE AGENT
Zack Greinke3918.057$8.5MFREE AGENT
Jordan Lyles3211.002$8.5MFREE AGENT
Hunter Dozier317.000$7.5MFREE AGENT
Amir Garrett316.000$2.6MFREE AGENT
Aroldis Chapman3512.009$1.9MFREE AGENT
Matt Duffy327.059$1.5MFREE AGENT
Jackie Bradley Jr.3310.000$363kFREE AGENT
Nick Wittgren327.000$329kFREE AGENT

Arbitration-eligible (11)

PlayerAgeSvc2023202420252026202720282029
Brad Keller275.000$5.8MFREE AGENT
Scott Barlow304.030$3.2MARB 3FREE AGENT
Nicky Lopez283.139$2.7MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Franmil Reyes275.000$2.0MFREE AGENT
Ryan Yarbrough314.117$1.7MARB 3FREE AGENT
Taylor Clarke303.120$1.1MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Matt Beaty303.086$1.1MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Josh Taylor303.121$1.0MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Josh Staumont293.072$1.0MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Taylor Hearn283.125$900kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Mike Mayers314.134$124kARB 3FREE AGENT

Pre-arbitration (38)

PlayerAgeSvc2023202420252026202720282029
Brady Singer262.156$3.0MARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Kris Bubic252.135$2.2MARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Bobby Witt Jr.231.000$746kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Edward Olivares272.055$741kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Dylan Coleman261.014$732kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Daniel Lynch IV261.083$730kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Carlos Hernández261.145$730kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Kyle Isbel261.042$728kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
MJ Melendez240.153$726kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1FREE AGENT
Vinnie Pasquantino250.101$726kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Michael Massey250.068$723kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Drew Waters240.045$722kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Nate Eaton260.058$722kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
John McMillon250.000$720kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Angel Zerpa230.082$652kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Nick Pratto240.080$649kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Freddy Fermin280.004$615kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Maikel Garcia230.015$588kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jose Cuas290.123$454kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Dairon Blanco300.020$430kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Austin Cox260.000$399kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tucker Davidson271.039$389kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Alec Marsh250.000$360kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Cole Ragans250.063$300kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Nelson Velázquez240.111$295kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jackson Kowar260.089$279kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Samad Taylor240.000$255kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Collin Snider270.114$205kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
James McArthur260.099$194kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Steven Cruz240.000$128kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Nick Loftin240.000$116kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Max Castillo240.056$89kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Logan Porter270.000$77kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Brooks Kriske290.000$50kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1FREE AGENT
Jonathan Bowlan260.000$50kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Anthony Veneziano250.000$46kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tyler Cropley27–$31k
Jonathan Heasley262.000—ARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT

Graphs

How each 2023 acquisition stacked onto Royals's playoff-odds curve. The side table is ranked by PPA.

Rosternomics — front-office performance, roster value, and transaction history. Follow @rosternomics on X.
Decision-maker records extend to 1933; resource-controlled WAR and payroll metrics cover 1985–2026. Data sources include FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference, the Chadwick Bureau register, the Lahman Database, prospect rankings from Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and FanGraphs, and public payroll records. Transaction and trade data was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Executive birth/death data via Wikidata (CC0).
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