Right-handed hitting outfielders the Royals could still trade for
The Royals are in the midst of spring training, a time of anticipation and optimism as pitchers take to the mound and hitters get their first swings in. Yet, there's a lingering feeling among fans that something is amiss. All winter long, the expectation has been that the front office would secure one more impact bat, an outfielder to bolster the lineup. So far, that move hasn't materialized.
Even with spring training games about to commence, there's still ample time to make a strategic move. J.J. Picollo, speaking to Anne Rogers at MLB.com, hinted at the team's potential pursuit of a right-handed bat (https://go.skimresources.com/?id=1025X1734621&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Froyals%2Fnews%2Fmitch-spence-traded-to-royals-from-a-s).
"It’s about how that player fits on our current roster to make it make sense," Picollo said. "Right-handed is maybe a little bit easier to slide in a piece. Where left-handed, it’s got to be a more prominent move because we have enough left-handed hitters we think can be a part of our 26-man roster and allow us to operate the way we want to."
With six weeks until the season opener, the question isn’t whether the Royals need another right-handed bat - it’s whether they’re still willing to pursue one. Here are some outfielders who could be available in a trade, especially if their team finds they need to bolster their pitching staff.
Jo Adell, Angels
Adell had a breakout season last year, slamming 37 home runs, the ninth-most in baseball. However, his performance is characterized by low averages, low walks, and high strikeouts. Despite this, the Royals need that kind of power, and Adell, at just 26 years old with two more years until free agency, could be a valuable asset. Adell's defensive struggles in centerfield last year (https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/outsaboveaverage) could be mitigated in left field. The Angels, with several controllable years, might be wise to sell high on Adell and add some pitching. Nonetheless, his 1.2 rWAR last year suggests they shouldn’t expect top prospects.
Jonny DeLuca, Rays
DeLuca is a young player who hasn’t yet lived up to his potential at the big league level. Acquired by the Rays after the 2023 season in the Tyler Glasnow trade, he hit .217/.278/.331 with six home runs and 16 steals in 107 games in 2024, his only extended big league experience. DeLuca appeared in just 20 games last year due to injuries. As a minor leaguer, DeLuca showed solid pop, good speed, and very low strikeout rates. His defense is adequate, meaning he doesn’t need to hit much to be valuable, but his lack of proven performance may be a concern for the Royals.
Jasson Domínguez, Yankees
The Yankees have a well-rounded outfield with Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham, and Spencer Jones on the cusp of a starting role. This leaves Domínguez as a potential odd man out. After being a highly ranked prospect, Domínguez had mixed results in his rookie season last year, hitting .257/.331/.388 with 10 home runs and 23 steals in 123 games, with poor defense. However, the 23-year-old switch-hitter has sky-high potential as a 30/30 player with an excellent eye at the plate. The Yankees could option him to the minors, but if they have moved on and are in need of starting pitching, the Royals could be a match.
Brenton Doyle, Rockies
Doyle, a two-time Gold Glover in centerfield, hit .260/.317/.446 with 23 home runs in 2024, earning a 4.0 rWAR. However, his performance took a downturn in 2025, batting .233/.274/.376 with 15 home runs in 138 games, with inflated numbers at Coors Field (.162/.209/.251 on the road). There's evidence that Coors Field can skew road numbers, and Doyle performed well against left-handed hitters. With three more years of club control, the Rockies might not be motivated to move him until his value is restored, but with a new GM, changes could be on the horizon.
Ramón Laureano, Padres
The Padres seem likely to keep an outfield of Laureano, Jackson Merrill, and Fernando Tatis Jr., with Miguel Andujar and Sung-Mun Song in the mix between the outfield and DH. However, they could decide to deal some of their outfield depth to acquire another starting pitcher, making Laureano available in his last year before free agency. The 31-year-old hit .281/.342/.512, tying a career-high with 24 home runs, and his 3.8 rWAR was the best of his career. Laureano has been inconsistent, with numbers tanking in 2022-23, leading the A’s to put him on waivers. He also struggles with injuries and is a poor defender. However, his $6.5 million salary this year makes him an affordable option for the Royals.
Jake Meyers, Astros
The Royals were reportedly interested in Meyers earlier this offseason (https://www.royalsreview.com/royals-trade-rumors/91469/rosenthal-royals-a-possibility-for-astros-outfielder-jake-meyers) . With Houston having traded Jesús Sánchez, they may not be looking to move another outfielder. However, the Astros need pitching, which could align their interests with the Royals. Meyers had a breakout season in 2025, hitting .292/.354/.373 with three home runs in 381 plate appearances. The 29-year-old Nebraska native is a plus defender in center and stole a career-high 16 bases last year. While he doesn’t provide the power the Royals seek, his numbers benefited from a .351 BABIP.
Coby Mayo, Orioles
Mayo isn’t an outfielder, but he’s taking reps there in spring training, and he may be available in a trade due to the Orioles' lineup logjam. Ranked as the #14 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline before the 2025 season, Mayo had an underwhelming start to his MLB career, hitting just .217/.299/.388 with 11 home runs in 85 games. However, he performed well against lefties. Mayo is hardly a sure thing, but he has potential if the Royals are willing to take a risk.
Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles
Mountcastle hasn’t played outfield since his rookie campaign of 2021, but he’s rumored to be available after the Orioles signed free agent first baseman Pete Alonso. Mountcastle hit 33 home runs in his first year, but his power has slipped each year, and he posted a career-worst OPS+ of 83 last season, limited to just 89 games. It was surprising he was tendered a contract, and the Orioles could be looking to move him and his $6.7 million salary for a bargain.
Heliot Ramos, Giants
Ramos was an All-Star in 2024 and has hit 20+ home runs in each of the last two seasons. Last year, he hit .256/.328/.400 in 157 games, but was worth just 1.2 rWAR due to dreadful defense in left. He has improved his walk and strikeout numbers and has put up an above-average OPS+ in each of the last two seasons. At just 26 years old with three controllable years left, the Giants could look to move Ramos and add a pitcher if they feel Drew Gilbert is ready for a starting role.
Spencer Steer, Reds
Steer has hit 20+ home runs in each of the last three seasons, but his wRC+ has regressed each year, sinking to 97 last year. He hit just .221/.297/.365 on the road, although his 2024 numbers were quite good. He has had unusually low BABIP numbers the last two seasons, and his 10.1 percent career walk rate is strong. Steer moved from left field to first base in 2025, and his defensive metrics in the outfield, while below average, weren’t awful. The Reds have top prospect Sal Stewart challenging Steer for a job, so he could be expendable soon.
Mark Vientos, Mets
Vientos is not an outfielder, but he’s so bad defensively as an infielder that a move to the outfield might be necessary. He smacked 27 home runs in 2024, although that number fell to 17 in 2025. He hit just .233/.289/.413 overall, with a walk rate of just 6.5 percent. At 26 years old with three more years of club control, Vientos has power potential. The Mets could keep him as a right-handed platoon option for first baseman/DH Jorge Polanco, but it could also make sense to move him for more pitching depth.
