Should the Royals extend Singer or trade him?

The Royals have just wrapped up an incredible postseason run, and with the offseason approaching, Kansas City faces critical decisions regarding their pitching staff. One player who has been a topic of discussion is right-hander Brady Singer, who has emerged as a potential trade candidate. Last offseason, Singer's name was linked to teams such as the Reds and the Rangers, with Texas being the most notable.
Singer has two years of arbitration remaining, including the upcoming season. While he has been a solid contributor throughout his career, his performance has not been stellar. Despite the trade rumors, it seems unlikely that he possesses the trade value necessary for the Royals to secure a desirable return. Over 127 games, Singer holds a career ERA of 4.28, with one playoff appearance from the bullpen against the Yankees, during which he struck out Aaron Judge.
At 28 years old, Singer has maintained relative health, missing only one start due to illness, which was against the Twins on May 30. The Royals lost that game 6-7. In 2024, the Royals’ rotation ranked among the best in the league, and Singer played a key role, finishing the regular season with a commendable 3.71 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 179.2 innings. Entering the 2024 season, he added a four-seamer to his repertoire, which I believe will enhance his performance in 2025 as he becomes more comfortable with it.
It's likely that the front office and Singer have had discussions regarding an extension, but there's a chance he could be traded this offseason. Jacob Milham of Kings of Kauffman notes that "his value is peaking, along with the general value of rotational pitchers. Singer would be a top-two option on some teams, and a top-three option for most in the league. Besides, the Royals may have pitchers ready to take his place." This is a valid point, as the team boasts promising arms like left-hander Noah Cameron and possibly right-hander Chandler Champlain, though both are long shots to break camp with the Royals next spring.
The Royals have shown a willingness to sign players to extensions even while they are still under team control, as evidenced by their 14-year deal with superstar Bobby Witt Jr., who had four years of arbitration remaining. While I'm not directly comparing Singer to Witt Jr., it illustrates the Royals' approach to securing homegrown talent early.
As the offseason approaches, Singer stands out as the most expensive arbitration candidate for the team, projected to earn $8.8 million. Back in 2023, Mike Gillespie of Kings of Kauffman predicted the team would hold off on an extension for Singer, a viewpoint I share, especially after Singer faced setbacks in 2023 due to a lower lumbar injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Despite interest from a few teams, moving on from the 28-year-old would be a misstep for the Royals. While he may not have met first-round expectations in the eyes of the front office or fans, he has proven to be a reliable number four starter.
The Royals also have controllable starters in Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo, reducing the urgency to extend Singer or pressure him to be the team's ace. Although his name has surfaced in discussions about a potential extension, I believe the team should wait until the end of the 2025 season before considering a long-term deal, particularly since they have control until 2027, when he will be 30 and eligible for free agency.
In conclusion, while the chances of the Royals signing Singer to an extension this offseason are slim, it remains a possibility, as both John Sherman and J.J. Picollo are keen on keeping their younger players in Kansas City for the long haul.









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