The Kansas City Royals have been an interesting team this season. After losing 106 games in 2023, the team has emerged as a serious threat to win the American League pennant.
In fact, Kansas City is only one game back of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. But they could be even better in 2025.
Jeff Passan of ESPN noted that Kansas City is going to be in need of a third baseman and suggested that they should "at least be making calls" to Matt Chapman during the free agency period.
Chapman, 31, has had a strong season with the San Francisco Giants. The veteran slugger, despite a .242 average, has hit 20 home runs, driven in 63 runs, stolen 13 bases, and posted a .764 OPS
He signed a three-year, $54 million contract with the Giants over the winter that included opt-out clauses for 2025 and 2026. He is expected to exercise his opt-out clause at the end of this season and return to free agency.
The 31-year-old would give the Royals a major boost in their lineup. They would have a solid veteran slugger to go next to MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr.
Kansas City has proven its desire to win, and signing somebody like Chapman would only further confirm that the team intends to compete for several years to come. It remains to be seen if the small-market Royals will dish out the long-term contract Chapman will likely want, but they would be an interesting fit for him.
We'll see if they decide to target the slugger.
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