With the top of the free-agent market thinning out and Kansas City once again shopping in the second tier, one name stands out as a realistic fit: Harrison Bader. The 30-year-old outfielder isn’t a franchise-changer, but he checks several boxes the Royals are looking for – elite defense, legitimate speed, and occasional pop to lengthen the lineup. Bader has bounced around the last few seasons and carries some durability concerns, but he also represents the kind of short-term upside play the Royals have leaned on before. If Kansas City is looking for a modest upgrade that bolsters the outfield while preserving payroll flexibility and maintaining their pitching depth, Bader might be the most logical target left on the board.

Harrison Bader was drafted and developed by the St. Louis Cardinal

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