Royals Viewed as Potential Landing Spot for 25-Year-Old All-Star Shortstop

The Kansas City Royals had a productive offseason as they looked to address the gaps that kept them from a postseason appearance last year. Kansas City’s primary focus was bolstering its offense for the 2026 season, which was the team’s biggest issue the previous year.

The Royals did just that, acquiring reinforcements for the outfield that should improve the roster’s offensive production. Most notably, they acquired Isaac Collins in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers and signed Lane Thomas in free agency.

Though the season is underway, Kansas City is still being discussed as a potential landing spot for players around the league. Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report identified his top 10 trade chips for the 2026 season, and while the Royals were mentioned, they were not the team offering the trade chip.

Royals named potential landing spot for Nationals’ CJ Abrams

Mar 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) after scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

On the list, Washington Nationals All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams was named the No. 1 trade chip for this season. Kansas City was one of three teams identified as potential landing spots, along with the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves.

The 25-year-old shortstop has established himself around the league, beginning with a breakout 2023 season. He set a Nationals record for stolen bases (since 2005) and became one of just seven shortstops in Major League Baseball history to record at least 15 home runs and 45 stolen bases in the same season.

All eyes were on Abrams after 2023, and he followed that season by slashing .246/.314/.433 with 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 2024. That performance earned him his first All-Star selection.

He has not slowed down since. In 2025, he slashed .257/.315/.433 with another 31 stolen bases and a career-high 149 hits.

Many will look at the Royals as a potential landing spot for Abrams and question the fit, given that Kansas City already has its shortstop in Bobby Witt Jr. However, in baseball, players change positions and develop in new roles all the time.

As Rymer points out, the biggest thing holding Abrams back is his defense. Moving him out of the shortstop position could open a number of doors, and even sliding him over to second base could be beneficial.

The Royals already have one of, if not the best, left sides of any infield in the league in Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia. Adding a player like Abrams to potentially fill that second base role would elevate both the offense and defense to another level.