Royals Vet on Chopping Block After Major Free Agency Signing
By Joe Summers
The Kansas City Royals officially pulled off their first major free agency signing with MLB Spring Training right around the corner, adding a former All-Star reliever in Carlos Estévez on Wednesday.
Estévez had 26 saves across stints with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies last year. He immediately becomes one of the Royals' most accomplished members of the bullpen and could slide in as the closer. If that happens, breakout star Lucas Erceg will be the set-up man with Sam Long, Hunter Harvey, and John Schreiber likely serving as the next few in line.
When you add excellent players to your 25-man roster, someone has to be the odd man out. Unfortunately for 28-year-old veteran James McArthur, he's now on the chopping block and fighting an uphill climb to stick on the team.
Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg are going to make a filthy duo in Kansas City:
— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) January 30, 2025
In a 2024 where he recorded a 2.45 ERA, Estevez had an AVG FB Velo of 96.8 MPH (89th Percentile), 89.4 MPH AVG on both his Slider and Change, and a 5.7% BB% (86th Percentile).pic.twitter.com/iCo67f1V6m
Royals RP James McArthur on Chopping Block After Carlos Estévez Signing
McArthur has admittedly shown flashes of dominance, briefly becoming a fan favorite after taking over the closer role from Will Smith early in the 2024 season. Things fell apart quickly as McArthur finished the year with a 4.92 ERA and seven blown saves, forcing Kansas City to scramble and trade for Erceg.
Considering how many arms are in the bullpen, it's difficult to envision a big role for McArthur, who went on the injured list during the playoffs. Estévez, Erceg, Long, Harvey, and Schreiber are more reliable options, not to mention Carlos Hernandez, Angel Zerpa, Daniel Lynch, and Kyle Wright. Kris Bubic was great as a reliever as well and while the team envisions him as a starter, the rotation is crowded too.
McArthur had his chance to be one of the most important Royals of the 2025 season. He theoretically still does and may blow the coaching staff away in the coming weeks, but it's not looking great for his chances as things stand.
The Royals needed to transform their bullpen and find a legitimate closer. They seem to have done so, which just might spell the end of McArthur's time in Kansas City.
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