As the Kansas City Royals gear up for Opening Day, the roster competition is narrowing down in a big way. With less than two weeks until they face the Cleveland Guardians, the club finds itself navigating through tough decisions dictated by injuries and player reassignment to minor-league camp. While projections for the 26-man roster are coming into focus, a few intriguing wrinkles remain, particularly concerning some players at the fringes.
A key focus is on first baseman Nick Pratto and right-handed reliever Carlos Hernández, both of whom are teetering on the edge of the roster bubble. Their fate could very much hinge on performance or, potentially, trades that help the Royals optimize their roster, opening spots for players who are more promising or have higher ceilings.
Here’s a candidate that may find himself on the trading block as Kansas City makes its final roster decisions.
Chris Stratton, RHP
Now, let’s talk about Chris Stratton. It’s fair to wonder if we’re venturing into wishful thinking territory, but it’s clear that the Royals could benefit from moving on from the veteran right-hander after a dismal 2024 campaign.
It’s no exaggeration to say that it was a brutal season for Stratton. Coming off a World Series victory with the Rangers, he signed with the Royals on a deal that includes a player option for 2025. Unfortunately, what followed has been nothing short of a struggle. With a 5.55 ERA and a career-low 1.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio, coupled with a noticeable drop in his fastball velocity, there hasn’t been much for fans to cling to.
Here’s a small glimmer of hope for those following Stratton’s path: all 36 runs he allowed came in just 18 of his 57 appearances. In simpler terms, when he was off, he was significantly off—but on the bright side, he did have more effective outings than disastrous ones. Nevertheless, his overall contribution has leaned toward the detrimental end of the spectrum.
With a guaranteed salary of $4.5 million, it might be tempting for Kansas City to fall into the sunk cost fallacy and hold onto Stratton until things become untenable. However, his shaky performance in Arizona isn’t making a strong case for his continued presence with the team. After starting Spring Training on a positive note with a couple of clean one-inning outings—where he struck out two batters in each—his recent outings have revealed cracks. He’s been hit hard, allowing multiple hits and at least one earned run in all three of his latest appearances.
Worryingly, during one mid-March outing against the Seattle Mariners, Stratton’s fastball velocity averaged just 91 mph across his offerings. While he managed a 25% whiff rate in that appearance, it’s tough to envision a reliever consistently succeeding with a fastball that’s lost its pop.
Ideally, if the Royals were to move Stratton, the focus would be on freeing up salary rather than extracting significant value in return. With younger options like Jonathan Bowlan showing promise or Steven Cruz potentially waiting for a fair shake at the big league level, Kansas City has compelling alternatives to explore for their bullpen. A trade before Opening Day might seem a stretch, but if the Royals do part ways with Stratton, it could open the door for these dynamic, high-upside relievers to claim meaningful roles. The time may have come for Kansas City to assess if keeping him around is worth the sacrifice of a roster spot.
