This outfielder would be the perfect J.J. Picollo style move that could actually pay off

As has become custom for the Kansas City Royals in recent years, they enter the offseason with plenty of questions surrounding their outfield. Sure, Jac Caglianone finally broke out in 2026 and looks like a long-term answer in right field (assuming they keep him there rather than at first base), but the cast behind him to fill out center and left field still looks thin, with a trio of mediocre to below-average bats in Kyle Isbel, Isaac Collins, and John Rave.

In an attempt to solve these issues in the past, J.J. Picollo hasn't gone for the flashy names, rather taking the creative route with more bargain-bin-style free agents and unique-looking trades. If he and the front office are considering the latter option of a trade, then perhaps recent news of Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews receiving trade interest across the league could make for a promising option to explore.

Selected only behind the great Paul Skenes in the 2023 MLB Draft, Crews not only failed to live up to his potential so far, but has also struggled to find any sort of real footing in the majors yet. Last season may've been his best since debuting back in 2024, but a .223/.289/.374 slash line with an 82 wRC+ is nothing really to hang your hat on.

Perhaps a scene change is all he needs, though, and we know Picollo loves a good change of scenery candidate. In 2026, Crews was an above-average bat when it came to quality of contact, boasting 62nd percentile marks or better in hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity. Pair that with strong range in the outfield at 4 OAA and 93rd percentile sprint speed, and there are signs of a complete player in there if he can become more disciplined at the dish.

If the Royals trade for Dylan Crews, how might they incoporpate him in 2027?

With needs in both center and left field, having someone who can play all around the outfield not only makes sense logistically, but it fits the flexibility that Matt Quatraro values when penciling his lineup card on a nightly basis. If they play Crews in left field, they aren't sacrificing much in terms of offense, as Collins was only an 83 wRC+ to Crews' 82. Then, from a power perspective, Crews is more than capable of producing double-digit power and could push 20+ home runs if all goes to plan.

If the Royals were to look at Crews as a center field replacement for Isbel, he is a 3 OAA center fielder and a career 9 OAA outfielder in general. The team would still be running an above-average defender out there, even if he isn't Gold Glove-caliber like Isbel has shown he can be. And offensively, Crews is a major upgrade over Isbel and his back-to-back sub-80 wRC+ seasons.

Then, from a lineup perspective, he's got experience hitting from one to nine. He hasn't had success in the leadoff spot and probably wouldn't be a candidate to join the likes of Bobby Witt Jr. and Co. in the heart of the order. However, with a .258 AVG, .956 OPS, and 158 wRC+ in 10 career games in the nine hole, he could be a great table-setter to turn the lineup over.

Should this be the marquee move that Picollo makes this winter? No, not at all.

However, with the right attention to detail elsewhere — perhaps even another bigger splash in the outfield, maybe the Royals will be on their way to finally finding the outfield answers they've desperately been searching for.

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