ESPN Insider Bluntly Critiques Royals' Quiet Offseason

Analyst sees holes in Kansas City's lineup despite moves to improve run prevention and ballpark dimensions.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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ESPN's Bradford Doolittle offered a brutally honest assessment of the Kansas City Royals' offseason, expressing concerns about the team's lack of an "impact hitter" addition despite making other roster moves. Doolittle acknowledged the Royals' improvements to run prevention but questioned whether the offense will be "markedly different" with the additions of Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas. The analyst also voiced skepticism about the team's decision to move in the outfield fences at Kauffman Stadium, warning that the "margin for error is thin" on that strategy.

Why it matters

The Royals entered the offseason with clear needs to bolster their lineup, but many fans were left disappointed by the team's relatively quiet free agent and trade activity. Doolittle's critique highlights the ongoing pressure on the Royals' front office to field a competitive team and the high expectations from the fanbase for the club to make a splash in the offseason.

The details

Despite extending third baseman Maikel Garcia and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, the Royals failed to add a marquee offensive player in free agency or via trade. Doolittle expressed concern that the additions of Collins and Thomas, along with the return of Jonathan India, may not be enough to significantly improve the Royals' lineup. The analyst also questioned whether the team is overly relying on the impact of moving in the outfield fences at Kauffman Stadium to boost offensive production.

  • The Royals' offseason moves were evaluated in mid-February 2026, just before the start of spring training.

The players

Bradford Doolittle

An ESPN writer who provided a blunt assessment of the Royals' offseason strategy and roster moves.

Isaac Collins

An outfielder added by the Royals this offseason.

Lane Thomas

Another outfielder acquired by the Royals this offseason.

Maikel Garcia

The Royals' third baseman who received a contract extension this offseason.

Vinnie Pasquantino

The Royals' first baseman who received a two-year contract extension this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not sold on the offense being markedly different with Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas on board and Jonathan India coming back.”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Writer (ESPN)

“Ultimately, I fear that too much has been pinned on the effects of moving in the fences at the K. It will help hitters and hurt pitchers -- that is just physics. But the key is whether those effects shake out in the Royals' favor. Of that, I will believe it when I see it, so Royals fans have to hope that the math behind this bold decision proves to be spot-on.”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Writer (ESPN)

What’s next

The Royals will look to prove Doolittle's concerns wrong as the 2026 season gets underway, with the team's new-look lineup and ballpark dimensions set to be tested.

The takeaway

The Royals' quiet offseason has drawn valid criticism from ESPN's Bradford Doolittle, who questions whether the team has done enough to meaningfully improve an offense that has struggled in recent years. The pressure is on Kansas City's front office to show their offseason moves, including the decision to alter Kauffman Stadium's dimensions, will pay dividends and silence the doubters.