Analysis: Cuas spent all of the 2025 season in the minors after collecting a 4.37 ERA and 122:69 K:BB over 119.1 frames at the major-league level from 2022-2024. The first one-and-a-half of those seasons was spent with the Royals. Cuas should be ticketed for Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2026 campaign.

Analysis: Anne Rogers of MLB.com says the deal is worth a guaranteed $57.5 million and can reach $85 million if he hits escalators and the option is exercised. Garcia had been eligible for salary arbitration for the first time as a Super 2 qualifier, but his new deal with cover all arbitration years and at least one year of free agency. Slated to turn 26 in March, Garcia had a breakout 2025 season, slashing .286/.351/.449 with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases while capturing his first American League Gold Glove award. Garcia recently strained his hamstring while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he should be fine for the beginning of spring training.

Analysis: Newman managed just a .202/.209/.272 batting line in 56 games for the Angels in 2025 before eventually being released. The 32-year-old does still have a steady, versatile glove, but it will be a bad sign for the Royals if he winds up playing a lot in 2026.

Analysis: Injuries limited Thomas to playing in just 39 games with the Guardians in 2025, as he missed time at the start of the year with a wrist issue before plantar fasciitis in his right foot ended his season in July. When the 30-year-old was healthy, he struggled to remain effective, slashing just .160/.246/.272 over 142 plate appearances. Despite his struggles, Thomas should be able to capture a starting job in a Royals outfield that lacks depth following Mike Yastrzemski's departure.

Analysis: India played third base and left field in addition to second base in 2025, and the Royals believe all the moving around could have affected the 29-year-old's offense, as he slashed just .233/.323/.346 in his first year in Kansas City. It was a bit of a surprise that Royals brought India back for $8 million rather than non-tendering him, but they're confident he can bounce back in his walk year.

Analysis: Garcia will wait to hear back from the Royals about either returning to winter ball at a later date or shutting things down. At the very least, he is expected to be sidelined for the next week or so. Garcia had a breakout 2025 campaign for Kansas City, slashing .286/.351/.449 with 16 home runs and 23 stolen bases over 160 games.

Analysis: India was seen as a non-tender candidate after he slashed a disappointing .233/.323/.346 over 136 games in his first year in Kansas City, but the Royals ultimately decided to bring him back in his final year of arbitration eligibility. Slated to turn 29 next month, India played second base, third base and left field for the Royals in 2025 and could bounce around to different positions for them again in 2026.

Analysis: Lange spent his first five major-league seasons with Detroit and had his best year in 2023, when he logged 26 saves in 32 chances. However, the right-hander struggled in 2024 and was eventually sent down to the minors before suffering a season-ending lat surgery. The injury lingered into last season, and Lange pitched just one inning for the Tigers while spending most of his time after his recovery in Triple-A. Detroit released Lange on Tuesday, and he'll now get a chance to earn a role in the Royals' bullpen.

Analysis: McArthur will officially remain with the Royals after missing the entire 2025 campaign while recovering from an elbow surgery he underwent last winter and a follow-up procedure he received in July. Once he's fully recovered, he'll likely take on a middle-relief role in the big-league bullpen.

Analysis: Black had been designated for assignment by the Giants last week and will now join the Royals' 40-man roster. The 25-year-old spent most of this season at Triple-A Sacramento, where he held a 5.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP alongside a 114:62 K:BB over 119.1 innings. Black has been used mostly as a starting pitcher to this point in his pro career, though it's not known whether the Royals intend to keep him in that role. The righty has minor-league options remaining.

Analysis: Misner had been designated for assignment by the Rays last week and is now on the move to a new organization. The Royals don't have much in terms of outfield depth, so it's possible Misner finds a decent amount of playing time in Kansas City. The 27-year-old is no sure bet himself, though, having put up a .585 OPS and 34.1 percent strikeout rate across 232 plate appearances at the big-league level.

Analysis: Kaiser entered free agency after being outrighted by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and it didn't take long for him to land elsewhere. The 28-year-old finished the Triple-A season with a .236/.345/.406 slash line over 273 plate appearances, and he'll most likely report to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2026 campaign.

Analysis: Perez had a $13.5 million team option for 2026, but his new deal will slightly decrease his AAV while ensuring the veteran backstop remains in Kansas City through 2027. Perez's .236 batting average from 2025 was the second-lowest mark of his 15-year MLB career, but he also finished the season with 30 homers for the first time since 2021 and 100 RBI for the third time in five years.

Analysis: Wright didn't pitch at all in 2024 and made only eight rehab starts in 2025 due to right shoulder surgery and more recently an oblique strain. He's considered healthy now, but Wright's velocity was down and he posted a 5.48 ERA in his 23 innings between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha this season. The former 20-game winner turned 30 last month and might have to settle for a minor-league contract this offseason.

Analysis: McArthur missed the entire 2025 season following surgery last offseason to address an olecranon fracture in his right elbow. He required a follow-up procedure in July to remove one of the two screws inserted into the elbow and only just recently was cleared to throw again. McArthur is scheduled for a follow-up appointment in mid-November to make sure his elbow is healing as expected.

Analysis: Bubic missed nearly all of the second half after being diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain, but he avoided surgery and is ready to resume throwing. While the left-hander currently appears on track for a normal offseason, the nature of the injury points to Bubic being a risky health proposition. The 28-year-old was having a breakout season before getting hurt, putting up a 2.55 ERA and 116:39 K:BB over 116.1 innings covering 20 starts.

Analysis: Erceg landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-September due to a right shoulder impingement. As long as scans Monday come back clean, the reliever should have a normal offseason. Erceg notched two saves and 22 holds for the Royals in 2025 and is slated to enter the 2026 campaign in a setup role.

Analysis: Bergert missed the last couple weeks of the regular season with a right elbow strain, but he's fully recovered and will enter spring training without limitations, barring any setbacks. The 25-year-old posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 73:35 K:BB across 76.1 innings in 2025 between the Padres and Royals and will have a chance to open the 2026 campaign in the major-league rotation.

Analysis: Marsh missed the entire 2025 season with shoulder issues and it was concluded last month that surgery was required. He is expected to need around a year to recover, so the right-hander is unlikely to be ready to pitch in a big-league game again until 2027. Marsh posted a 4.53 ERA and 123:39 K:BB over 129 innings for Kansas City in 2024.

Analysis: Lynch closed the regular season in dominant fashion, retiring all seven batters he faced with a trio of punchouts. His 4.76 FIP is worth noting, but the southpaw turned in solid surface numbers in 2025, recording a 3.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 57 appearances and 67.2 innings. The Royals didn't lean on him consistently in high-leverage situations, but he generally delivered when used and often provided more than just a single inning, as he did Sunday.