Kansas City Royals add outfield depth with JaCoby Jones, keep Lovelady in organization

At one time, versatile outfielder JaCoby Jones looked like a potential building block for the Kansas City Royals’ division rival Detroit Tigers and their youth movement. But Jones became a free agent for the first time this offseason and has joined the Royals.

Jones, 29, signed a minor-league contract with Royals on Wednesday.

A former third-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates — the Pirates traded him for reliever Joakim Soria — Jones has played 352 games in the majors and has started at center field as well as left field. Early in his career in the minors, he also played the infield. He’s received limited action (six appearances, four starts) on the infield in the majors.

Left-handed relief pitcher Richard Lovelady, who the Royals non-tendered Tuesday night to make room on the 40-man roster, also signed a minor-league contract to remain with the organization.

The minor-league deals still left the Royals with an open spot on their 40-man roster, which was filled with the Wednesday night signing of relief pitcher Taylor Clarke.

Jones struggled offensively this season prior to the Tigers designating him for assignment and ultimately sent him outright to the minors. In 36 games in the majors this season, he slashed .170/.210/.250 with 42 strikeouts and five walks. For his career, he has slashed .212/.275/.371.

He showed flashes of progress at the plate in 2019 and 2020, which earned him a $2.65 million one-year deal last winter to avoid arbitration.

In May and June of 2019, he slashed .281/.347/.520 with eight home runs, 13 doubles and two triples in 53 games. He played just 30 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and slashed .268/.333/.515 with five home runs and nine doubles.

Jones adds depth to an outfield group that includes a pair of Gold Glove winners in center fielder Michael A. Taylor and left fielder Andrew Benintendi.

Likely starting right field options include All-Star infielder/outfielder and offensive catalyst from the leadoff spot Whit Merrifield and slugging infielder/outfielder Hunter Dozier.

Other outfield options who garnered significant playing time last season included Kyle Isbel, Edward Olivares and first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn.

The Royals have also seen several outfielders from the major-league or upper levels of the minors leave the organization in the past year.

Franchy Cordero and prospect Khalil Lee were traded away in the three-team deal to acquire Benintendi.

The Royals also traded away Nick Heath in April as well as outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler at MLB’s July trade deadline. The Blue Jays claimed Jarrod Dyson, who signed with the Royals during spring training, off waivers in August.

This offseason, Bubba Starling announced his retirement, and the club granted first baseman/outfielder Ryan McBroom his release in order for him to sign overseas.

Lovelady, 26, underwent elbow surgery in late September after he posted his best stretch of his career in the majors. He registered a 3.48 ERA in 20 appearances (20 2/3 innings), 23 strikeouts, a 1.06 WHIP and a .211 opponents’ batting average last season.

A 10th-round pick of the Royals in 2016, Lovelady has spent his entire career with the organization. He made his major-league debut in 2019.