Kansas City Royals news: Bobby Witt Jr. is Platinum!

Bobby Witt Jr. wins his second Silver Slugger Award, and he wins his first Platinum Glove Award for top overall defender.

Anne Rogers writes about what the Royals have to do this offseason.

This likely means corner outfield, as that’s a wide-open spot and the one that needs the most improving. But the Royals aren’t going to shut the door on other positions. Second base remains a possibility, if they can find the right fit. Third base even remains open because of Garcia’s versatility as an infielder — although he just won a Gold Glove at the position, so the club might not be too keen on moving him around.

A bat can come via free agency or trade, and the Royals will explore both markets. But a trade seems most likely, especially when teams come calling about Kansas City’s surplus of starters or catching depth in the Minor Leagues.

David Lesky reacts to the Salvador Perez deal.

The guy is never going to be confused with a patient or selective hitter, but his .236/.278/.446 actual line is a far cry from his expected line of .279/.318/.543. Why was there such a difference? I’m going to see if I can’t figure that out at some point this offseason. But the metrics take everything into account and still showed that he was actually an elite power hitter.

I’d still like to be sure that he’s more of a number six hitter than a number five hitter in the 2026 offense, but every time I look at those expected numbers, I wonder if I’m off base. Regardless, I think it’s a fair deal for him and one that probably opens up a little more money to spend to make the 2026 team better, so, overall, I like it.

David Schoenfield at ESPN writes about the best players, series, and performances from the Wild Card era.

Best wild-card game/series: 2014 ALWC (Royals 9, A’s 8 in 12 innings)

Back when it was still just a one-game showdown, this one was crazy: The A’s led 7-3, but Bob Melvin left in a tiring Jon Lester too long and the Kansas City Royals tied it with three in the eighth and one in the ninth (after the Athletics had left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth). The Royals had already burned through their good relievers by the 10th inning, so it took September call-up Brandon Finnegan to take them to the 12th. He finally allowed a run, but the Royals scored twice to win it.

Royals farmhand Dash Albus appears on a podcast featuring notable people from Abilene, Texas.

MLB.com writers give their free agent predictions, with some linking the Royals to Alex Bregman or Eugenio Suárez.

Maikel Garcia is among 34 “Super-Two” players eligible for arbitration.

Japanese star third baseman Munetaka Murakami is posted for MLB teams.

The Braves claim outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Cardinals.

Former Royals pitcher Matt Sauer is headed to Korea.

The Giants may not be interested in long-term deals for pitchers.

Can Paul DePodesta fix the Rockies?

Jay Jaffe looks at the Hall of Fame case for Don Mattingly.

MLB slugger Darryl Strawberry receives a pardon for his past tax evasion and drug charges.

Prince Harry apologizes for wearing a Dodgers cap against a Canadian team.

Why the Big Ten is losing the college football TV wars.