5 Royals players who definitely won't be back in 2027 with Matt Quatraro under pressure

Get ready for a new-look Kansas City Royals team in 2027. While it won't be a brand new look, there will likely be plenty of changes heading into next season. There are a handful of Royals players who have either overstayed their welcome or are simply not part of the team's long-term plans. As Royals manager Matt Quatraro starts to feel his seat heat up, the team could make some bold moves following another disappointing season.

When Quatraro took over the reins in 2023, there wasn’t a whole lot of pressure for him to turn the team around immediately. But following a surprise postseason appearance in 2024, there was definitely a newfound dose of optimism around the Royals organization.

Suddenly, this young and upstart team had expectations to live up to year after year. That of course changes how his performance as a manager is graded. Instead of grading solely on his ability to guide the club in the future, Quatraro is now being judged on what his team has done or not done.

With two straight disappointing seasons in a row, that feeling of optimism has now turned sour and fans are waiting for answers. Sure, the team’s pitching staff was decimated with injuries in 2026, but the best teams always figure out a way around that scenario. Quatraro and his club never managed to find their own solution this season.

Matt Quatraro needs a more competent Royals roster to compete

The Royals’ roster has plenty of potential to hit their stride in 2027, but they will need to shed some dead weight that could be holding them back. This means that players who have been contributors in the past are no longer viable options for the future. Just being good enough is no longer good enough for the AL Central. Just about every team is on the upswing and it will be easy to get left behind if the Royals are stuck in the past.

While some Royals players have struggled to produce in 2026, others have been decent stop gaps as the club waits for a number of prospects to develop in the minors. With a young core ready to compete for the division, the Royals can't waste another season on mediocre offseason pickups and middling players at key positions.

Kyle Isbel, Royals outfielder

As a valuable member of the Royals since 2021, Kyle Isbel has seen it all. He’s been a part of a team that’s won 56 games in a season and he was a key component to the surprise 2024 Royals that won a Wild Card Series. As a stellar defender, Isbel could still provide value in the majors as a late-game defensive replacement. But with a career wRC+ of 75, he is no longer a fit for the Royals.

As a light-hitting centerfielder, Isbel is no longer worth giving 400 at-bats a season. With a number of young prospects like Carson Roccaforte chomping at the bit to get their chance, the Royals would be foolish to run it back with Isbel. He was a good player for the team for years, but he’ll never help the Royals take that next step needed to compete for a World Series.

Alex Lange, Royals pitcher

This one feels like a no-brainer. Alex Lange has had a dreadful year for the Royals in 2026. As of September 21, Lange sports an ERA of 6.09 and a WHIP of 1.561. He hasn't been quite as bad as Matt Strahm was, but he's at least in the same conversation. There would be no reason for Lange to return in 2026.

Lange has simply not been an effective option out of the bullpen for Quatraro this season. It’s difficult to remember a ball game when Lange didn’t surrender any runs. In fact, before the team's September 22 matchup against the Chicago White Sox, Lange’s last clean inning was on August 22 against the Detroit Tigers.

Carlos Estevez, Royals pitcher

Carlos Estevez enjoyed quite a year with the Royals in 2025. He led all of baseball with his 42 saves and he appeared to be well on his way at establishing himself in Kansas City. While his 3.67 FIP was a little bit higher than you would like for your closer, there was no reason to believe he wouldn’t be able to duplicate the results in 2026.

Unfortunately for Estevez, he never really got the chance to prove that he deserved to be considered in the elite class of closers in 2026. A couple of injuries completely derailed his season and he appeared in just one disastrous game this season. It is now highly unlikely for the Royals to pick up his $13 million club option in 2027.

Isaac Collins, Royals outfielder

Isaac Collins was never meant to be a long-term solution for the Royals, but the club expected a little more from the 29-year-old. After Collins posted a .779 OPS for the Milwaukee Brewers last season, the Royals traded Angel Zerpa and Nick Mears for him in December. But an 86 wRC+ through 141 games this season makes even that trade seem like a wash.

Collins wasn't horrible this season, but he should be nothing more than a placeholder as the next generation of young Royals’ outfielders state their case to make the roster next season. The Royals could look to move on from Collins and give his at-bats to younger players. Like with Jac Caglianone in 2025, MLB experience can pay off in the long run for rookies.

Salvador Perez, Royals catcher (This should happen, but it won't)

This one hurts to consider. As one of the greatest players in franchise history, Salvador Perez has accomplished as much in a career as any player could possibly ask for. With more than 300 home runs and 1,000 RBI, it always seemed like he would find a way to produce for the club. But with the mother of all regression hitting Perez this season, that production has taken a dip. Perez has vowed to keep playing until he is not able to, but can the Royals afford that?

At -1.2 fWAR, Perez was unfortunately the least valuable qualified position player in all of baseball this season by a wide margin. To put it lightly, his season was not pretty. And with $12.5 million owed to him next season, it may only get worse.

As a Royals legend, he should have a say in how he wraps up his career. However, the Royals organization will need to have a very uncomfortable conversation about his future because he may hold this team back for yet another season. Instead of giving at-bats to Perez, Blake Mitchell should be given his time to shine and show the club what he’s capable of.

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