The Kansas City Royals have been the biggest surprise in baseball this season, approaching June near the top of the MLB standings. More than 50 games into the season and with the club outperforming expectations, it’s time to examine Royals trade targets to help contend in 2024.
A lot has gone right for Kansas City this season. Salvador Perez is playing at an All-Star level once again, Bobby Witt Jr. is an MVP candidate and both Seth Lugo and Brady Singer have broken out. However, in order to maintain this through October, more help is needed.
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- Kansas City Royals lineup stats: 263 runs scored (4th in MLB), .252 batting average (8th), .315 OBP (9th), .411 SLG (8th)
Let’s examine a few top Royals trade targets who can help Kansas City contend.
Taylor Ward, outfielder, Los Angeles Angels
Entering MLB games today, the Royals lineup is being carried by its infielders. While this team ranks top-10 in major offensive statistics, the Royals outfield ranks 29th in FanGraphs’ wRC+ (74) with a .210/.275/.345 slash line through 54 games. Needless to say, upgrades are necessary considering Kansas City also isn’t getting much defensive value out of its outfielders (-0.5 fWAR).
- Taylor Ward stats (2024): .274/.330/.483, .783 OPS, 127 wRC+, 11 home runs, 32 RBI in 224 PAs
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Not only is Ward producing at an All-Star clip this year, he’s been excellent at the plate over the past three seasons. Across nearly 1,200 plate appearances from 2022-’24, Ward is responsible for a 122 OPS+ with a .803 OPS and a .270 batting average. Plus, the Royals would have him under arbitration control through 2026.
Connor Joe, outfield/first base, Pittsburgh Pirates
Adding one quality outfielder to the Royals lineup probably won’t be enough. Even if Kansas City adds someone of Taylor Ward’s caliber, it’s still looking at below-average production from the group. So, we turn our attention to one of our other Royals trade targets.
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Connor Joe might be one of the most cost-effective options out there. On an expiring contract, the Pittsburgh Pirates likely won’t have a strong asking price for a 31-year-old outfielder. The benefit for Kansas City is that Joe would be owed just half of his remaining $2.125 million salary. As for what Kansas City gets for this bargain-priced hitter, Joe has a .342 OBP and .774 OPS over the last two seasons. In 024, he has a .280/.451/.458 slash line across 168 at-bats. Plus, Joe can play first base or the corner outfield.
Kenley Jansen, closer, Boston Red Sox
No one expected before the season that the Royals rotation would have the third-most quality starts in MLB, but they do. Seth Lugo (1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) and Brady Singer (2.63 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) have been excellent. Meanwhile, Cole Ragans is holding his own as an ace and Alec Marsh has been a quality back-end starter. However, we do think there’s a lot of area for improvement with the Royals bullpen.
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The Boston Red Sox haven’t made it a secret that Kenley Jansen is available, already floating him in MLB trade rumors. Considering the organization’s focus on dumping money, Kansas City could get Jansen for even cheaper if ownership is willing to eat the $8 million he’s owed for the remainder of the year. As a half-season rental, Jansen would provide postseason experience for Kansas City and he remains a very effective reliever (3.06 ERA, 11.72 K/9 and .188 batting average allowed) who can close or be a set-up man.
Reed Garrett, relief pitcher, New York Mets
Striking a mix between half-season rentals and players with multiple years of contract control with our Royals trade targets, Reed Garrett falls into the latter. However, the New York Mets should be more than willing to move the right-handed pitcher considering he’s already 31 years old.
- Kansas City Royals bullpen stats: 4.02 ERA (17th in MLB), .249 batting average allowed (27th)
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Garrett has been excellent this season, recording a 2.67 ERA in his first 27 innings pitched. Against opponents in 2024, Garrett has struck out 37.7 percent of them with a .230 batting average surrendered. Plus, his 2.07 expected ERA and .382 batting average on balls in play suggests all of this is pretty legitimate. He wouldn’t close in Kansas City, but adding him for the 6th or 7th innings would add nice depth to the pen.