Image credit: Matt Kartozian, USA Today
The Royals find themselves in new territory. After years of selling at the trade deadline, the Royals will likely be in the buyer’s market this summer. The club unquestionably has holes that need filling if a playoff push is in order. The farm system isn’t deep enough to grab a superstar, however, there are still many options for Kansas City to improve.
OF Taylor Ward, Angels
This isn’t the sexiest player to go after. Nobody will pick Kansas City to win the pennant because of acquiring Ward, however, he is an undeniable upgrade. MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe have put together below-league-average years at the plate which has hindered a solid lineup. Ward is batting .252 with 11 home runs in 63 games this season. The Angels are well out of the race and look to be at the start of a lengthy rebuild. It makes little sense for Los Angeles to hold onto Ward as he enters his 30s.
On the flip side, it makes all the sense in the world for a team like Kansas City to go after him. While Ward’s probably never going to see his 2022 production again, he still provides a consistent bat. The Royals typically aren’t keen on just renting a player which is another reason Ward makes sense. With two arbitration years remaining, Ward wouldn’t hit the free agent market until after the 2026 season, making him a possible starter for years down the line. The price shouldn’t be steep and the fit is there for Kansas City.
RHP Kenley Jansen, Red Sox
One of the best relievers in baseball since getting called up, the 36-year-old flamethrower could be on the move. Jansen is set to be a free agent after the season and with the Red Sox’s mediocre performance, the team could be looking to sell one of the better arms on the market. The Royals bullpen has been shaky all year long with no true shutdown piece. Players like James McArthur have moments but fall into slumps, Kansas City can’t afford down the stretch.
Jansen fixes this problem. in his 15-year career, Kenley Jansen has never posted an ERA over 3.71. So far in 2024, he’s posted a 2.89 ERA with nine saves in 18.1 innings pitched. It might not be prime Wade Davis or Greg Holland, but those numbers look great compared to the majority of Kansas City’s current bullpen. Having a veteran piece that can come in during high-leverage situations would not only help the bullpen but also the starting rotation. Not having to tax your starters and keep them in after high pitch counts would do wonders for veterans such as Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha who already have plenty of miles on their arms.
LHP Tanner Scott, Marlins
Another reliever on an expiring contract, Tanner Scott makes perfect sense for the Royals. The Marlins waved the white flag in May when they traded Luis Arráez to the Padres. The Royals were reportedly in on that deal but ended up getting outbid. Luckily for Kansas City, there’s another Marlin that should be on the move in Tanner Scott. The 29-year-old left-handed reliever has been fantastic in 2024, posting a 1.40 ERA in 25.2 innings.
The Royals’ current left-hand options in the bullpen are Will Smith, Angel Zerpa, and Sam Long. None of the players listed are terrible options, but none of them make you feel at ease when they come in to pitch. Scott could come in and not only be a setup man, but he may very well become your closer. The asking price might be high considering multiple contenders will likely go after Scott, but in a year where everyone is focused on Mason Miller and where he’ll get moved the Royals may be able to grab a solid reliever to a struggling pen.
OF Michael Conforto, Giants
If the Royals wanted to show they were all-in for 2024 this would be a telling move. It’s hard to tell right now if the Giants will commit to being sellers at the deadline. They have no chance of taking the division from the Dodgers. Would they risk not selling for a potential wild card push? Who knows, but if they decide to sell the Royals should check in on the price of veteran outfielder Michael Conforto.
Royals fans may recognize the name from back in 2015 when Conforto was a rookie on the Mets when they lost in the World Series to Kansas City. Since then, Conforto has built quite the resume. Now in his ninth season, Conforto has accumulated 16.7 WAR and held a .253 batting average. His best days seem to be behind him but that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of contributing to a contender this autumn. The Royals aren’t typically in the rental game, but with how poor the outfield has batted for them they might have to take that approach with a guy like Conforto.
OF Tommy Pham, White Sox
Surprise, another outfielder! A career journeyman, Pham finds himself on the worst team in the MLB right now and looking for a new home to contend. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Pham, as just last season he found himself in this same situation when the Mets dealt him to the Diamondbacks at the deadline. Barring anything crazy, Pham will find himself on the move yet again this July. When he gets moved it will mark the fourth time in his career he’s been traded mid-season.
Just like the other outfielders mentioned above, Pham fits what Kansas City needs. He may not be the star hitter his teammate Luis Robert Jr. is, but he does get on base. In his career, Pham has posted a .350 on-base % and an OPS+ of 114. In 2024 Pham is slightly down from his career averages but still hitting above league average in his 33 games played. He doesn’t possess the power of a MJ Melendez or Hunter Renfroe but he does get on base at a higher clip. With him being on an expiring contract the price shouldn’t be steep, especially with how far out of the race Chicago is.
