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Kansas City Royals Get Roster Clarity on Three Key Players as Offseason Begins

The Kansas City Royals made the playoffs in 2024 and now they are onto 2025's roster construction.

Brady Farkas

Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe (16) celebrates while crossing home plate after hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on Sept 26.
Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe (16) celebrates while crossing home plate after hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on Sept 26. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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The Kansas City Royals, who advanced to the American League Division Series in 2024, have already started to get some roster clarity for 2025.

On Thursday, as the MLB offseason officially got underway, the Royals learned that pitcher Chris Stratton and outfielder Hunter Renfroe would be coming back next season. They exercised their player options. The Royals also declined their option on utility player Adam Frazier.

Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com on Stratton and Renfroe:

The following players have exercised their options for 2025, per sources: Dbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery, Royals OF Hunter Renfroe and Royals RHP Chris Stratton.

Feinsand also had the report on Frazier:

The 34-year-old Stratton went 4-3 for the Royals this season in 57 games. He pitched to a 5.55 ERA and registered four saves. A nine-year veteran, he's pitched for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels and Royals. He helped Texas win the 2023 World Series title.

Renfroe will be back on a $7.5 million deal for 2025. The 32-year-old hit .229 this year with 15 homers. He's a lifetime .238 hitter who has played with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Royals, Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds. He's hit more than 30 homers twice in his career.

Frazier struggled this season, hitting .202 with just four home runs. A former All-Star, Frazier is about to be 33 years old. As someone who can play all over the infield and moonlight in the outfield, he should find a job in 2025, but it may be on a minor league deal.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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