Michael Wacha and Chris Stratton both have player options for the 2025 season. I’m not quite sure that’s the way to look at these deals, however. That strategy could still work, assuming the team is willing to spend again next offseason to reshape their 2025 roster. They’ve put a band-aid on the 2024 season that they’ll have to then turn around and fix again in 2025. That is one way to look at the recent signings by Kansas City.

What are the Royals’ recent contracts saying about 2025 and beyond? Has that focus on the now impacted the Royals' ability to compete beyond 2024? If enough of these player options are declined, Kansas City could very well enter next offseason looking similar to how they entered this one. The focus on “now” is a welcome development from a team that has been mired in disappointing results for the better part of a decade. Still, the team has added $47 million to the 2024 payroll alone in a clear attempt to play more competitive baseball next season. The front office has spent more than $100 million this offseason but many of those dollars may never be paid out due to the aforementioned player options. Rewind a few signings and you’ll find that reliever Chris Stratton’s deal included the same player option after the first year of his deal. Friday’s Michael Wacha signing featured a two-year contract with a player option for year two, as did Hunter Renfroe’s two-year, $13 million pact. The three-year Seth Lugo contract included a player option for year three. Many of the team’s free-agent deals have included player options. The fact that it is even in the realm of outcomes now is a testament to an incredible job done by general manager J.J. Six weeks ago, the notion that the Royals would compete for the division would’ve been laughable. The possibility is certainly there though. While the roster is vastly improved, I don’t believe it’s good enough right now to make a run at the playoffs. Fans are optimistic and whispers of competing as early as next season have already begun. The recent flurry of free-agent additions has sparked the fanbase in ways we haven’t seen in quite some time. Let’s get it out of the way early: the 2024 Kansas City Royals - as the roster stands right now - aren’t likely to make the playoffs.

Kansas star casino competition