Kansas City Royals: Second Base Trade Market

Jun 18, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore watches batting practice before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals rumors are still flying on the trade market as the July 31 deadline approaches.

The KC Royals are officially “all-in” for the 2015 season. General manager Dayton Moore made that abundantly clear on Sunday when he dealt three left-handed pitching prospects for Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto. In a move unprecedented in team history, Moore dealt away prospects Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed for an elite free-agent rental. However, the buzz that still surrounds the team suggests he might not yet be done.

The Kansas City Royals still seem to be pursuing a middle infielder. Whispers have connected the KC Royals to both Oakland’s Ben Zobrist and Miami’s Martin Prado. Both are super-utility players who can handle both infield and outfield spots, though Prado isn’t quite as versatile as Zobrist—who can even handle the defensively-challenging centerfield and shortstop positions.

The rumors make sense. With right fielder Alex Rios turning it on in July to the tune of .338/.378/.455 with 6 doubles, 1 home run, and 4 stolen bases, the Royals could believe he’s rounding into form after suffering a broken finger the second week of the season. Between Rios’ resurgence, and the solid  recent play of the Jarrod Dyson/Paulo Orlando platoon, the KC Royals outfield needs do not appear as dire as they did when Alex Gordon went down with a groin injury two weeks ago.

That leaves second base as the Kansas City Royals biggest remaining issue.

More from KC Royals Rumors

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 2 update
• KC Royals Rumors: Club should pass on this Yankee
• MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: KC Royals at a glance
• KC Royals Rumors: Is club pulling the trade trigger?

But, Zobrist and Prado aren’t the only second basemen available on the trade market. There are other options that Moore might pursue in preparing his 2015 team for the playoffs.

At this point, the KC Royals just need to go for it. I can’t imagine the Royals putting together a better candidate to take the title than a team equipped with: 1) an all-world defense, 2) a historic bullpen, and 3) a bona fide ace in Johnny Cueto. Aside from those three strengths, the team has the ability to scratch out runs in close games. The Royals also have impact bench players in Jarrod Dyson and, presumably, base-running specialist Terrance Gore.

Along with these objective reasons, the Kansas City Royals have the “it” factor. They’re a team that knows it can thrive under playoff pressure after their unprecedented 8-0 run through the Wild Card, ALDS, and the ALCS to the World Series last season. The fact that they fell one base short of a championship has just made them hungry, instead of causing a hangover of disappointment, in the clubhouse.

In the following slide show, I will examine the top second base candidates that KC Royals fans might see putting on a Kansas City uniform in the next few days:

Next: Oakland A's Ben Zobrist

Jul 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) high five teammates after being batted in on a two run home run by designated hitter

(not pictured) against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ok. We’ve beat this one to death. The Kansas City Royals have been rumored to be chasing Ben Zobrist since late June.

Betsided

The reason all the chattering keeps on going is that Zobrist is a perfect fit for the KC Royals needs. He’s a plus defender at pretty much every position except catcher. He’s patient at the plate. He’s got some pop. He can fill in for either of the Kansas City Royals perceived lineup shortcomings at second base and right field. Zobrist is a free-agent next season, so should be about as cheap as he can get.

Zobrist has swung a hot bat in the last two months, slashing .269/.384/.495 in June and .292/.366/.444 in July. For the season, Zobrist is hitting .268/.354/.457 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 home runs for an OPS+ (adjusted On Base Plus Slugging) of 122 (22% above league-average).

Heck, the guy can be a middle-of-the-order hitter in most lineups. Plus, he’s a switch hitter—so he’s good for your righty/lefty match-up balance.

The Kansas City Royals already splurged on the best pitching arm on the 2015 deadline market. So why should they settle for second cuts when it comes to utility players?

Next: Miami Marlins Martin Prado

Jul 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado (14) turns a double play on Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder

(5) during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Prado has also been strongly rumored to the Kansas City Royals, which makes sense as he’s also a guy who can play both corner outfield positions, third, and second base. 

Prado, however, doesn’t bring either the same kind of bat to the table, or the same type of defense as Ben Zobrist. While the 31-year-old Prado has a career 106 OPS+ (6% above league-average), he’s only slashing .273/.312/.369 this season with 14 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 home runs. That line translates to an 88 OPS+, which rates 12% worse than a league-average batter.

Still, Prado is hitting a lot better than the offensive dumpster fire that is Omar Infante (.230/.243/.307)

Martin Prado is really Ben Zobrist-lite. I suppose if the price is too high for Zobrist, then Dayton Moore could settle for Prado. However, metrics show that Prado is a below-average defender at second base over his career (though he’s quite good at third base).

Even so, Prado can help. Prado can enter the lineup if the Kansas City Royals need hitting, with Infante playing if manager Ned Yost wants defense. Martin Prado can also insure against an outfield disaster and give Yost some flexibility when using pinch hitters.

Next: Colorado Rockies DJ LeMahieu

Jul 8, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) fields the ball in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Coors Field. The Angels defeated the Rockies 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

I haven’t heard any rumors regarding LeMahieu, but the Colorado Rockies should be in sell mode sitting in last place in the NL West at 42-52. They’re 11 games behind a Wild Card position.

LeMahieu would be an interesting get in that he’d be a long, rather than short, term solution at second for the Kansas City Royals. The 27-year-old LeMahieu won’t even be arbitration eligible until 2016, and can’t become a free-agent until after the 2019 season.

DJ LeMahieu would also be a great fit with the KC Royals due to his outstanding defense. LeMahieu ranks fourth among all major-league second basemen with a 6.3 DEF rating at Fangraphs.com. His Ultimate Zone rating is an excellent 4.9, with a UZR/150 of 12.3.

DJ LeMahieu is also enjoying a terrific season at the plate. He’s slashing .314/.370/.403, though his hitting might include some Rocky Mountain helium. LeMahieu has hit a much more pedestrian .274/.321/.338 away from the high elevation of Coors Field. This season’s numbers are much better than LeMahieu’s career slash line of .285/.327/.371. He’s also enjoyed a ludicrously high .375 Batting Average Balls In Play this season, significantly higher than his career .340.

Thus, many scouts think LeMahieu’s offensive prowess this season might be a one-year exception, rather than career breakthrough.

Even so, DJ LeMaieu gets on base, and plays defense. He LOOKS like a Kansas City kind of player, and he’d be more than a rental. He could solve the team’s long-term struggle to find a solution at second that Omar Infante was SUPPOSED to be when he signed a 4-year, free-agent deal in 2013.

Next: Cincinnati Reds Brandon Phillips

Jul 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder

(28) is forced out at second base by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) during the fourth inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Phillips is a big name at second base. He’s a three-time NL All-Star, with four Gold Gloves. From 2006 to 2013, he was the rare second-sacker with significant pop. He slammed 160 home runs over that eight-year stretch.

While the 34-year-old Phillips is still a plus glove in the field, his bat has fallen off the last two seasons. In 2014, Phillips declined to .266/.306/.372. He is only slashing .276/.312/.359 this season with 11 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 home runs. Brandon Phillips is still a stolen base threat with 11 swiped bags against 1 caught stealing this season, but he’s clearly slowed down with age.

That is the crux of the problem. Phillips is certainly available. But, do you really want to take on a 34-year-old declining bat with an expensive contract?

Phillips is still owed $4 million for 2015, and has $27 million remaining for 2016 and 2017. Unless the Kansas City Royals could unload Omar Infante and his $17.75 million in remaining guaranteed money in the deal, you’d have a WHOLE LOT OF $$$ tied up in a pair of declining, 34-year-old second basemen.

Yes, Phillips would be a short-term upgrade. And, he might resurrect the ghost of past talent under the rush of a playoff run. But I can’t see how he’d be worth it unless Cincinnati were willing to eat a lot of money in the deal: like say taking Omar Infante in trade.

The other fly in this ointment is that Phillips is a 10 year veteran who has spent 5 years with the same club. That means he has to give permission before Philadelphia can deal him.

Next: Conclusion