What's on the Royals' Winter Meetings wish list?

This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers’ Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

KANSAS CITY -- There’s been movement this week with the Winter Meetings looming in a couple of days, and the Royals added to both their roster and coaching staff with the signing of utility man Garrett Hampson and hiring of assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon.

But Kansas City’s offseason work is far from over.

“Addressing the pitching is at the top of our list,” general manager J.J. Picollo said Wednesday when I asked him what was next after signing Hampson.

The Royals must fortify both their rotation -- two spots are open -- and bullpen to help a pitching staff that was one of the worst in the Majors last season. They would do well to add an impact bat. Extension talks with Bobby Witt Jr. continue to happen, according to sources. There is a lot still on the table for Kansas City.

Here’s a rundown of what to look for next week from Nashville, Tenn.:

Key Events
• Sunday: HOF Contemporary Era ballot results released (Cito Gaston, Davey Johnson, Jim Leyland, Ed Montague, Hank Peters, Lou Piniella, Joe West and Bill White)
• Monday: Manager Matt Quatraro meets with the media
• Tuesday: Draft Lottery (the Royals have an 18.3% chance of receiving the No. 1 pick)
• Wednesday: Rule 5 Draft

Club Needs
As mentioned above, the Royals need pitching. Right now, Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Jordan Lyles make up the rotation. Two spots remain open, with internal candidates including Daniel Lynch IV, Alec Marsh, Angel Zerpa, Anthony Veneziano, Jonathan Bowlan and Kris Bubic when he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

The priority for the Royals is starting pitching, and they are willing to trade for a controllable starter or commit dollars in free agency for one. They’re looking for not only a pitcher who can give them innings, but also a No. 1 or No. 2 who can help solidify the rotation.

The Royals seem less likely to spend big free-agent money on a reliever, but rather to find smaller pieces like they did with Nick Anderson, who has some risk because of injury and age but has a track record and the tools to be a weapon. Pitching coach Brian Sweeney and his team made sweeping changes to the Royals’ staff last season -- mainly with arsenals -- and they could help relievers who are looking to rebuild their value. But Kansas City’s bullpen struggled mightily in 2023, and the Royals must bring in arms to stabilize the unit and help out James McArthur, Taylor Clarke and Carlos Hernández, all of whom must be better for a full season next year.

Offensively, the Royals are ecstatic about what Witt did in 2023 and where he’ll continue to go. They want to add around him, though, and while Hampson adds a utility bat to the lineup, they’ve also spent the first part of the offseason looking for an impact bat who can help Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez. The Royals ranked 21st in slugging percentage last season (.398), and while they won’t lead the league in homers because of Kauffman Stadium, more power is always helpful.

Potential Trade Candidates
The Royals haven’t shut the door on anyone being traded beyond untouchables Witt and Ragans, but it seems unlikely that their two biggest trade chips -- Singer and Perez -- get traded this offseason. Still, those two could net the largest return.

First baseman Nick Pratto and outfielder MJ Melendez are trade candidates as two young players with upside but unclear roles with the Royals.

One possibility following the Hampson deal is using No. 5 prospect Nick Loftin in a trade. Hampson is a utility player whom the Royals view as a right-handed bench piece they can play in the infield or outfield. Loftin, who could have more power than Hampson, is right-handed and also plays both infield and outfield. Loftin is much younger and is still in pre-arbitration years, so the Royals could use him in a package for pitching.

Maikel Garcia could garner trade interest because of his ability to play shortstop, but the Royals might be unwilling to trade away their third baseman.

Rule 5 Draft
Kansas City added outfielder Tyler Gentry (No. 8 prospect) and righty Will Klein (No. 25) to the 40-man roster, protecting them from the Rule 5 Draft. No. 28 prospect Luinder Avila was left exposed, as well as former first-rounder Asa Lacy, the Texas A&M lefty selected No. 4 overall in the 2020 Draft. Injuries have hampered his pro career, and he did not pitch for an affiliate in 2023.

Tyler Tolbert, the George Brett Hitter of the Year, was left exposed, and a team might be willing to take a risk on the middle infielder turned center fielder because of his defensive ability and speed.

• 30 intriguing Rule 5 Draft options -- 1 for each team

The Royals did not have an open 40-man roster spot as of Friday to make a pick in the Rule 5 Draft. If one were to open, the most logical area to target seems like the bullpen.