Royals Called Trade Fit for Pirates Star Center Fielder

The Royals could use more offense.

Jun 23, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; against the Pittsburgh Pirates hat and glove in the dugout before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Royals are 2-2 in their first four games of the 2026 season. The team made some key additions this offseason, trading for Matt Strahm, Nick Mears and Isaac Collins and signing Lane Thomas to a one-year deal.

The Royals missed the postseason in 2025 due to a lack of offense, so they took matters into their own hands to improve it over the winter. However, there are still some question marks.

If Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone don't pan out this season, then the Royals are going to need to pick up a bat or two at the trade deadline. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed Oneil Cruz as a trade candidate and had the Royals as a possible fit, assuming the Pittsburgh Pirates fall out of contention.

Royals named fit for Oneil Cruz

Mar 21, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) scores a run during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Cruz made his Major League debut with the Pirates in 2021. The next year, he came in sixth place in the National League Rookie of the Year race. Over the past few years, he has made the transition from shortstop to center field.

The outfield was one area where the Royals struggled last season, and if that happens again in 2026, Cruz could be just what they need in terms of a power bat. 2025 was a bit of a down year for Cruz as he hit just .200/.298/.378 with a .676 OPS, though he still hit 20 home runs and stole 38 bases.

He would provide some speed for the Royals as well, so there are a lot of ways that they could ultimately try to make this work and fill any holes necessary at the deadline.

The Royals are expected to stay in contention this year, but the Pirates may end up falling out of the race. In that case, Cruz would make sense as an outfield option for Kansas City. He also has three years of club control remaining, so he could be a key part of their core.

The main issue the Royals would run into, however, is the price they would have to pay to land him. That will take a lot of top prospects, and the Royals aren't always a team that likes to give up a lot just for one player.

But if there's a way they can make it work, then it would make sense to try and add some pop to that lineup.