The Kansas City Royals made their first big move of the winter on Sunday. Will they keep this momentum going towards free agency?

After re-signing veteran starting pitcher Michael Wacha to a three-year extension worth $51 million, the Royals have their 2024 season starting rotation largely intact. Wacha teamed up with Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Brady Singer to produce some of the best starting pitcher stats on any team in 2024.

The question, however, is whether the Royals are done adding free agency. And if not, does that mean improving an already strong rotation is still on the table in Kansas City’s quest to advance deeper into the playoffs in 2025?

Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell recently predicted the Royals are reportedly signing New York Mets star Sean Manaea in an effort to bolster their rotation in 2025. Although the prediction was made before Wacha signed the extension, it’s a move that could still make sense for K.C.

“Sean Manaea had a solid season with the Mets, but New York probably won’t bring him back. He posted a 3.47 ERA with the Mets last season,” Pressnell said.

“The Royals will add a top-10 starter this offseason. They have some strong arms, but they need another one to compete for the World Series. That arm will be Manaea if the Royals play their cards right this winter.”

Manaea had solid overall stats this season, but he could prove to be the steal of the winter if the changes he made midseason prove to be a lasting improvement. After the All-Star break, Manaea’s WHIP dropped from 1.22 to 0.94, his opponents’ OPS dropped from .639 to .593, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio increased from 2.40 at 3.83.

Adding Manaea to a rotation that already includes Ragans, Lugo, Wacha and potentially even Singer could give the Royals the most dominant starting pitching presence in the game. And alternatively, signing Manaea could give the Royals the confidence to trade Singer for a much-needed slugger.

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