Wednesday, October 28

Welcome back to the Royals Beat newsletter. MLB.com digital content fellow Perla Paredes wrote this edition.

Before the 2026 regular season began, Bobby Witt Jr. was already reminding the baseball world why he was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

The Royals shortstop put on a show for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic. And as it turned out, that was only a preview of what he had in store for the rest of the year.

Now, with November approaching Witt has a chance to turn another standout season into his third consecutive American League Gold Glove Award at shortstop. Winners will be announced live at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN on Sunday. Witt could also claim a third straight Silver Slugger Award at his position (announced Nov. 17) and find himself in the AL MVP conversation (announced Nov. 12).

Finalists for the Silver Slugger and the remaining BBWAA awards will be announced between Nov. 6-12.

The 26-year-old finished the regular season with +24 outs above average, the most among shortstops and third most in MLB. His +17 fielding run value matched St. Louis’ Masyn Winn for most at the position, while his 7.0 fWAR led the American League.

Witt's impact extended to the other side of the ball, where he led AL shortstops with a .281 batting average, .441 slugging percentage, 33 doubles and 45 stolen bases. He also ranked among the top three at his position in runs (94), hits (157) and OPS (.800).

In addition to Witt, Jac Caglianone is in the mix for a Silver Slugger Award after the outfielder led Kansas City with a .289 batting average, .494 slugging percentage and .834 OPS in his second Major League season. Among AL outfielders, he ranked first in slugging, second in batting average and third in OPS.

Witt and Caglianone could also earn spots on the All-MLB First and Second Teams, along with catcher Carter Jensen and right-hander Michael Wacha. Those selections, which recognize the top performers at each position across both leagues, will be announced Nov. 11 during the MLB Awards show in Las Vegas.

And when it comes to the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, Witt has some company. Three other Royals infielders are finalists: first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, second baseman Michael Massey and third baseman Nick Loftin.

Pasquantino finished the season second-best in the AL at first base with +7 defensive runs saved, while Massey, a Minor League Gold Glove winner in 2021, earned his first Major League nomination after recording +11 outs above average, second most among AL second basemen behind only New York’s Jazz Chisholm Jr. (15). Loftin, meanwhile, stepped into a larger role at third base while Maikel Garcia dealt with injuries, recording +6 defensive runs saved while also getting time at second base and right field.

Jensen put together an impressive rookie campaign, slashing .239/.323/.467 with a .790 OPS and a team-leading 27 home runs. The young catcher also broke multiple franchise and rookie catcher records, giving him a potential case for AL Rookie of the Year.

Wacha, a 2026 All-Star, could also receive down-ballot AL Cy Young Award votes after posting a 3.32 ERA across 200 2/3 innings pitched with 158 strikeouts.

The Rookie of the Year Award winners will be announced Nov. 9, followed by the Cy Young Award winners on Nov. 11.

KEY NOVEMBER DATES

First day after the end of the World Series: Eligible players become free agents

Clubs can also begin making trades at this date. Kansas City's potential free agents include Luke Maile, Jonathan India and Craig Kimbrel.

Fifth day after the end of the World Series (4 p.m. CT): “Quiet period” ends

Deadline for clubs to extend qualifying offers to eligible free agents, who can begin signing with any team. The Royals are not expected to extend a qualifying offer but will be in the free-agent market.

Nov. 10-12: General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas

Kansas City could begin exploring ways to address its biggest offseason needs, particularly starting pitching and bullpen depth.

Nov. 17 (3 p.m. CT): Deadline for players to accept qualifying offers

Nov. 20: Tender deadline

The Royals must decide whether to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players. Alex Lange, Nick Mears, James McArthur and Alec Marsh are among the potential non-tender candidates.

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