The Kansas City Royals lineup has been one of the worst in baseball this season and is largely responsible for the team entering MLB games today below the .500 mark. However, with a pitching staff worthy of October, Kansas City could reportedly show an unusual level of aggressiveness on the trade market this summer.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports that the Royals are in the market for upgrades in the corner outfielder this summer. Most notably, Kansas City seems to be realizing it likely has to trade one of its top prospects to land the caliber of bat desired.
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- Kansas City Royals lineup stats (ESPN): 235 runs scored (28th), .249 batting average (13th), .302 OBP (26th), .367 slugging (27th)
Specifically, Bowden highlights Royals top prospects Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen among the top trade candidates. With only one of the two young catchers having a path to the majors as a successor to Salvador Perez, the other could be used to acquire a quality bat with multiple years of contract control.
Kansas City’s pitching staff is certainly deserving of more run support. Through 67 games this season, the Royals rank fifth in ERA (3.44), eighth in WHIP (1.21) and the second-most quality starts (34) in baseball.
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While no specific targets are named, there are some options based on the likely sellers this summer. Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers, age 27, is in the midst of a breakout season. He carries a .805 OPS this season and isn’t even arbitration-eligible until 2027.
Kansas City could also target Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward. While he’s already 31 years old, Ward is arbitration-eligible in 2026 and carries a .748 OPS this season with 18 home runs and 47 RBI. The Royals could even try and entice a three-team trade, with starting pitching going to the Boston Red Sox, prospects heading to a third team and All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran added to the Royals lineup for years to come.
