4 upcoming KC Royals free agents who have been good but don't need to be re-signed

Will Smith's second KC Royals stint has been forgettable

If there's a no-brainer addition to this list, it has to be veteran reliever Will Smith. When Kansas City brought him back, his projected role as the team’s closer put him squarely in the spotlight. However, consistent early-season struggles quickly pushed him out of that role. The Royals turned to other options while Smith searched for his footing in the bullpen.

Eventually, Smith settled into a middle-innings role, keeping the Royals in games long enough for the closer of the moment to take over. While he had a solid run in that position, he was far from flawless. He posted an impressive 0.96 ERA in June over 10 games and carried that momentum into July. His rebound in this role even had some fans calling for him to be tested in higher-leverage situations to see if the 35-year-old lefty would sink or swim.

Unfortunately, Smith's performance in August took a nosedive. Following his Aug. 25 outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City placed him on the 15-day IL with lower back spasms. Whether Royals fans will see him again this season remains uncertain, but the Royals might be better off without him.

While Smith's career since leaving Kansas City in 2013 has been impressive, with World Series rings to show for it, his return to the Royals has been nothing short of a disaster. Every bullpen needs low-leverage arms, but Smith may not even be fit for that role in 2025. That’s a gamble the Royals can’t afford to take next season.