Will the Kansas City Royals Retain Their 35-Year-Old Outfielder?
The Kansas City Royals scrambled for consistency in their outfield this past season, especially at the corner spots. Over 162 games, they cycled through 13 different left fielders and 11 right fielders in a constant search for stability. In early June, there was hope that top prospect Jac Caglianone would provide the spark they needed, bringing the thunderous power he showcased in the minor leagues and settling into right field. Instead, the highly touted rookie struggled to gain his footing, hitting just .157 with seven home runs and 18 runs batted in. His development hit another setback on July 27th, when he landed on the injured list and missed a full month of action.
Shortly after Caglianone’s injury, the Royals looked elsewhere to reinforce the outfield. The mid-season acquisition of Mike Yastrzemski from the San Francisco Giants helped settle the rough tides in the Royals’ outfield. Being a late bloomer, Yastrzemski made his MLB debut with the Giants in 2019 as a 28-year-old. He quickly became a fan favorite and a fixture in right field. However, with the backflow of prospects vying for time in the outfield and his expiring contract, it seemed only a matter of time before the Giants would move on from him.
Yastrzemski adjusted quickly to his new surroundings in Kansas City. With the Royals, the 35-year-old hit .237 with nine home runs and 18 runs batted in while providing immediate stability to the outfield. He took over right field duties, appearing in 39 games there, and also filled in at the other two outfield spots, logging 10 games in center and seven in left. His ability to move around the outfield gave Kansas City flexibility at a time when they desperately needed it.
While he is not among the flashiest or highest-profile outfielders on the free agent market, Yastrzemski brings qualities that teams value: versatility, steady defense, and durability. Aside from the shortened 2020 season, he has appeared in more than 100 games every year of his career. His performance in Kansas City was strong enough to warrant consideration for another season with the Royals, or at the very least an opportunity to compete for a starting role during spring training. He may not be a headline-grabbing signing, but he remains a dependable option who can help stabilize an outfield in need of experience and reliability.
