Piccolo Receives Contract Extension, Promoted to POBO, Warner Named GM.
The Royals announced a contract extension with JJ Piccolo, following their return to the postseason in 2024. Baseball Operations VP Alex Warner was promoted to General Manager, working under Piccolo, who will now serve as the President of Baseball Operations.
Royals Make Moves, Finalize Roster
In a surprising move, the Royals traded a key piece of last year’s club, catcher Freddy Fermin, as well as OF Drew Waters, to the San Diego Padres, for 18 year-old pitcher Humberto Cruz. Cruz, slots in as the 6th best prospect in the Royals system. The Padres, cutting salary, paid a premium to add two solid minimum salary contributors at positions of need.
This move seemingly signals that two players on the bubble of the Royals roster following Spring Training have made the club. Brian OÂ’Keefe, who had a strong 2024 at AAA Omaha, will open the season as the backup catcher and 2022 1st round pick Gavin Cross will open the year as the primary rightfielder for the Royals.
Season Preview
The Royals were one of the surprises of the baseball world, improving by 30 games in 2024. While optimism is high in KC, experts are divided on the fortunes of the club in 2025. They’ll need repeat performances from aging starters Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and young hitters like Massey and Cross to establish themselves as reliable everyday contributors.
With a farm system ranked near the bottom of the league, the newly-restructured front office will need to continue to make savvy moves to continue to surround Bobby Witt Jr. with the talent needed to contend on a payroll that still sits in the bottom third of baseball.
