The Kansas City Royals are sitting on a potential solution to their roster construction. Moving Vinnie Pasquantino might feel wrong to some, but it makes sense for the long term, according to Blog Red Machine. This shift could stabilize the infield.
Royals general manager J.J. Picollo has mentioned that the club will be aggressive this offseason in hopes of rebounding after a disappointing 2026 campaign. This isn’t about throwing money at problems. It is about making the right moves with the pieces already in the building.
A Perfect Fit for the Reds
The Cincinnati Reds need help in several areas. Their lineup was top-heavy in 2026, and they are looking to fill holes. Per Blog Red Machine, the Reds could use a player like Pasquantino to help Sal Stewart. Stewart is a natural third baseman, and moving him back to his preferred spot could unlock his potential.
Pasquantino brings much-needed stability to the plate. The Reds’ left-handed hitters had a terrible .217 batting average and only 50 homers last season. Their hitters also combined for a league-worst 25.5% strikeout rate. Pasquantino is much harder to fan. He had a 15.8% strikeout rate in 2026 and holds a career mark of 14%.
Fixing the Power Drought
The power numbers for Cincinnati’s lefties were also bad, with a .387 slugging percentage that ranked 23rd and a homer total that ranked 27th. Pasquantino can change that. He hit 17 homers in 114 games last season, but his 2025 stats were even better. When he was fully healthy, he crushed 32 dingers while slashing .264/.323/.475.
The Royals are in a similar spot to the Reds. Both teams are small-market clubs built around young stars. While the Reds have Stewart and Elly De La Cruz, the Royals have Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia on long-term deals. Moving Pasquantino, who has only two years of team control left, helps the Royals’ timeline.
