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Kansas City Royals Trying to Trade Erik Kratz

By John Viril |

Kansas City Royals rumors indicate the team is trying to trade reserve catcher Erik Kratz after designating him for assignment (DFA) on June 11, according to Baseball Essential reporter Robert Murphy:

Baseball Essential is a major league news and rumors site.

The Royals chose Drew Butera for the backup catcher job on Thursday, after Erik Kratz suffered an injury in early May. The Kansas City Royals immediately moved AAA infielder Ryan Jackson to the Angels for Butera.

Erik Kratz  is a career .212/.270/.400 hitter with 23 home runs in 492 career at bats. He’s played for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Kansas City in his six-year career.

Since the KC Royals have a 10-day window before having to offer the 35-year-old Erik Kratz on waivers, general manager Dayton Moore still has five more days to complete a deal.

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The Kansas City Royals acquired Kratz along with AAA pitcher Liam Hendricks last fall in a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays for reserve infielder Danny Valencia.

Valencia is currently hitting .322/.340/.511 in 95 plate appearances this season. For his career, the 30-year-old Valencia is .266/.303/.411 hitter. With an OPS+ (adjusted on base plus slugging) of 96, he’s four percent below league average at the plate.

Thus, Dayton Moore could pair Kratz with a AAA starter and expect to land a solid bench player in return. With a trade market that figures to favor sellers as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, Moore could succeed in getting something for Erik Kratz.

The Royals could certainly use a super-utility player who can play both in the infield and outfield (and preferably bat left handed) with second baseman Omar Infante and right fielder Alex Rios failing at the plate.

The Mets and Nationals are NL contenders who could use an upgrade at their second catcher spot. There are likely more candidates in both leagues, given that many teams will think they have a shot at the second Wild Card.

With both Yordano Ventura and Jason Vargas hurting, the Kansas City Royals could need all the ammunition they can get if they’re forced to make a deal for a starter.

Next: KC Royals Facing Crossroads To 2015 Season

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