Royals feeling sense of déjà vu heading into this year's GM Meetings

As general managers across baseball gather in Las Vegas for the annual GM Meetings, there will surely be an explosive trade or two that will be discussed over the next few days. While these trades likely won't happen this week, this is a real chance for front office personnel to lay the groundwork for their roster construction heading into next season. This includes Kansas City Royals GM J.J. Picollo, who could be feeling like he'll have to address the same roster holes as last season. 

After finishing 82-80 and missing out on the postseason last year, Picollo and the Royals knew that they had some work to do in the offseason. While speaking to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell, Picollo highlighted the team's outfield as one area of weakness that he wanted to shore up. 

“Our outfield hasn’t been as productive as we needed it to be over the last two or three years,” Picollo said ahead of the 2025 GM Meetings. “We’re back at it again, trying to figure things out.” 

Well, a year later and Picollo and the Royals find themselves in the same position. The team's outfield graded out as one of the weakest aspects of the entire roster this year. Outside of Jac Caglianone, the Royals’ outfield offered the team very little in terms of offensive production throughout the 2026 season. That doesn't mean that Picollo didn't try to make changes last offseason. He just didn't make the right changes. 

J.J. Picollo and the Royals can't afford any half measures heading into 2027

Acquiring outfielder Isaac Collins last December proved to be about as inconsequential as any move that Picollo made last year. With a .641 OPS in 442 at-bats this past season, Collins was not the solution to the subpar offensive production that Picollo was hoping for. On defense, Collins was okay but nothing special. It was nowhere close to being enough to make up for his below-average year at the plate. 

With an adjustment to his playing time and a new role on the team, Collins could still become a valuable member of the Royals in 2027 and beyond. However, it doesn't appear that he is capable of becoming a permanent starting outfielder in Kansas City. As the AL Central remains up for grabs heading into next season, Picollo will have another chance to improve his team this year. It may be his last chance.  

As the potential lockout looms in the distance, this year's GM Meetings will likely have a slightly different tone than last season. However, the Royals will still be faced with the challenge of addressing the weak outfield. Making another trade for a player at Collins's level won't cut it this time, though. Picollo will need to swing big if he wants to really save this team from another disappointing season. 

Whether he decides to take a chance on a promising young player like Carson Roccaforte or go all in with a big trade for a proven MLB outfielder, Picollo may not have another shot next offseason. While he could be feeling a sense of déjà vu right now, the reality of a failed 2027 season could snap him back to reality. 

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