Breaking down the Royals 2027 payroll ahead of the offseason and likely lockout

The Kansas City Royals finished the 2026 season with the 18th-highest luxury tax bill in Major League Baseball according to Spotrac.com. That's not bad for the team that ranked 27th in team valuation by Forbes.

The Royals will have some work to do this winter, however. While the infield seems to be figured out for the time being, the outfield and pitching staff need to be addressed. How J.J. Picollo decides to attack this offseason will say a lot, but he'll also need to know how much ownership is willing to spend.

Let's break down the Royals roster, position-by-position. All salaries, estimates, and positions are per Spotrac.com

Breaking down the Royals 2027 payroll ahead of the offseason

Royals Catchers: $12.3 million

Salvador Perez's current contract carries an AAV of $11.3 million, taking up almost all of the money owed to Royals catchers next season. Carter Jensen, heading into Year 2 in the bigs, will make $1 million in pre-arb salary unless he signs a long-term extension.

Royals First Basemen: $5.55 million

The two-year contract the Pasquatch signed last offseason carries an AAV of $5.55 million. So, even though he'll be making $7.1 million this season, for luxury tax purposes, it's a $1.5 million savings.

Royals Second Basemen: $3.15 million

Michael Massey is the only second baseman listed on the Royals roster heading into the 2027 season. He's going into his second year of arbitration, with Spotrac projecting him to have a $3.15 million salary.

Royals Third Basemen: $11.5 million

Maikel Garcia is heading into the second of a five-year, $57.5 million contract extension he signed last offseason. That deal carries an AAV of $11.5 million. Though Garcia is only making $7.26 million this season, Years 4 and 5 will bring savings on the tax bill.

Royals Shortstops: $28.25 million

Bobby Witt Jr.'s long-term extension has an AAV of $26.25 million. The 2027 season is the final year of that deal, when the luxury tax hit is larger than the actual salary. Every year from 2028 on will bring almost $5 million in savings or more. Two other shortstops are listed on the roster as well: Tyler Tolbert and Nick Loftin. Both are in pre-arb, meaning they get $1 million salaries.

Royals Outfielders: $7.3 million

The Royals head into the offseason with five outfielders on their 40-man roster. Kyle Isbel is the only one heading into arbitration, with a projected $3.3 million salary. The other four: John Rave, Issac Collins, Matthew Lugo, and Jac Caglianone are in pre-arb, earning them $1 million salaries.

Royals Starting Pitchers: $54.67 million

There are 12 starting pitchers on the Royals' 40-man roster — some who fans will know are relievers, but for the sake of the exercise will be defined as starters. Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha make up most of the money. Lugo, in the final guaranteed year of his deal with an AAV of $23 million; Wacha has an AAV of $17 million. Cole Ragans also signed a multi-year deal, which carries an AAV of $4.42 million.

Randy Dobnak, Alec Marsh, and James McArthur are all arbitration eligible. Dobnak has a projected salary of $2.5 million. Marsh is going into his first year with a projected salary of $900,000. McArthur, after receiving Super Two status, has a projected salary of $850,000.

The other six pitchers (Luinder Avila, Steven Zobac, Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, Ben Kudrna, and Steven Kolek) are all still in pre-arb, earning $1 million.

Royals Relief Pitchers: $19.55 million

There are 17 relievers on the Royals 40-man roster, 11 of which (Spencer Bivens, Steven Cruz, Jose Cuas, Carlos Duran, Mason Black, Beck Way, Mitch Spence, Connor Thomas, Nolan Hoffman, Connor Seabold, and Easton McGee) are in pre-arb earning $1 million.

Daniel Lynch is the highest projected earner $2.4 million in his second year of arbitration. Nick Mears, in his third and final year, is projected at $1.9 million. Nate Pearson, also in his final year, is projected to take home $1.35 million.

Anthony Gose is in his second year, expected to make $1 million. Lucas Erceg is in his first year, projected at $1 million, though other estimates assume he could be worth more. Alex Lange is the final player, in his second year, projected at $900,000. Carlos Estevez's $13 million club option is unlikely to be picked up, and is not included.

Royals fans shouldn't take this as a complete list heading into the offseason. number of moves are on the horizon. Players will be non-tendered to open up space on the roster for free agents and trade acquisitions. Also, any player who spends time in the minors will earn the minor league salary, bringing down their total tax hit.

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