The Kansas City Royals have certainly set the tone for their offseason with some strategic maneuvers to maintain the strength of their roster. They kicked things off by securing a three-year deal to retain a key piece of their stellar rotation.

Not long after, they shook things up by making a trade from that same rotation to score a new leadoff hitter. Although the Royals were aiming for a big splash on the offensive front, those plans didn’t pan out as expected.

Instead, they shifted gears and made a late off-season move to bolster their bullpen by signing a seasoned closer.

Let’s break down the major league signings that have been making waves:

• Michael Wacha, a right-handed pitcher, committed to a three-year contract worth $51 million. This deal cleverly includes a buyout of a 2028 club option, securing his stay with the Royals for now.

• Carlos Estévez also joins the roster under a two-year, $22 million deal, complete with a buyout option for 2027.

• Another notable addition, Michael Lorenzen, signed a one-year contract for $7 million, which similarly includes a buyout for a 2026 mutual option.

For 2025, Kansas City has earmarked around $35 million in spending, with total offseason splashes hitting the $80 million mark. In terms of extensions, the Royals locked in left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans for three more years with a $13.25 million deal, which covers his last pre-arbitration year and the subsequent two arbitration seasons.

Now, here’s why the Royals are already creating buzz as we head into 2025: Last year, they pulled off a remarkable season turnaround, improving their record by a whopping 30 wins from the previous year. Their stellar play carried them through the Wild Card series, where they shut down the Orioles, allowing only a single run over two games. While their postseason fairy tale ended at the hands of the Yankees in the Division Series, the Royals’ resurgence after a nine-year playoff hiatus was a story on its own.

This turnaround has established Kansas City as a formidable, albeit top-heavy, contender largely built on a rock-solid rotation and an MVP-type campaign by Bobby Witt Jr. Keeping the core intact was crucial, and by re-signing Michael Wacha, the Royals ensured he stays put alongside Seth Lugo, positioning them as the 2-3 prongs of their pitching with breakout star Cole Ragans leading the charge.

Kansas City has set a solid foundation, and with these moves, they’ve signaled to the rest of the league that they’re ready to be a force in the upcoming season. Whether they can capitalize on this momentum remains the Kansas City faithful’s and baseball fans’ eager question. Keep your eyes on the Royals as they continue to craft an intriguing chapter in their franchise history.