Luke Maile couldn't have harbored any hope of getting big chunks of playing time when the Kansas City Royals' signed the veteran big league catcher to a minor league contract for 2025.
Nine-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glover, and five-time Silver Slugger Salvador Perez wasn't going anywhere and roster mainstay Freddy Fermin was one of the majors' best backup catchers. Even the timing of the deal — spring training was a day away from starting when Maile inked his one-season pact — reflected the high demand he wasn't in.
Spending the season in Kansas City simply wasn't in the cards for Maile.