KC Royals: Four Possible August Trade Additions

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Aug 23, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The KC Royals have pulled back into the race by winning 13 of their last 16 games. Could general manager Dayton Moore help out his team with an August trade acquisition?

With one week to go before the September 1 deadline for players to eligible for the post-season, the Kansas City Royals will need to make a trade in the final week of August if they are to add players than can help in the playoffs.

Teams can still make deals past the non-waiver trade deadline. The key difference is that the players involved must clear waivers before they are dealt. Or, alternatively, a team can put a player on revocable waivers; and, if someone claims him, they can cut a deal with the claiming team. Note that teams in the same league get waiver priority, so it’s easier to make trades with teams in your own league.

Just what kind of help could the Kansas City Royals use? The short answer is the KC Royals would like to find a fifth starter, offensive help at second base, and perhaps a platoon bat for Paulo Orlando in right field.

Players The KC Royals Won’t Add

First, let’s talk about some players that might be available, but I don’t think the Kansas City Royals will get. Yes, James Shields has cleared waivers, but would the KC Royals want him? Shields has an awful 5.98 ERA this season, with an even worse 7.49 ERA since returning to the American League when the White Sox acquired him from the Padres in June.

Scott Kazmir cleared waivers, but the Los Angeles Dodgers just put him on the disabled list. He’s struggled this season anyway, putting up a 4.59 ERA in the National League. Ervin Santana would be a nice pickup, but he’s got two years remaining on his deal and I doubt Minnesota wants to help a division rival obtain more pitching.

On to my possible August trade targets:

Next: Trade Target No. 4

Aug 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jorge De La Rosa

Thirty-five year old Jorge De La Rosa has a rather unimpressive 5.07 ERA in 110.0 innings pitched this season, but is coming off a strong eight inning, two-run performance on Sunday. He is in the last year of his contract, and is due $12 million this season. Thus, he has around $3 million remaining to be paid in 2016.

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He could pass waivers due to his mediocre performance this year, but could also get claimed for the same reason the KC Royals would be interested in the lefty: his solid 3.48 ERA in his last five starts.

Remember, also, that his 5.07 ERA this season is partly due to pitching in the thin air of Denver for his home starts. His adjusted ERA reflects his tough home park conditions. Even giving up more than five runs per game, he still rates as dead average (100 ERA+). While not impressive, a league-average arm to slot into the no. 5 position would be an improvement over Dillon Gee.

Another nice thing would be to bring back a former Kansas City Royals player from the dark ages of 2006-07 to play for the team when it’s winning. I’m sure Dayton Moore would like that.

Next: Trade Target No. 3

Aug 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Nick Markakis

Atlanta’s Nick Markakis has cleared waives and thus is available. The Braves have already dealt outfielder Jeff Francouer for two prospects in a three-way deal with the Rangers and Marlins. Why wouldn’t they also cash in Markakis?

The Problem With Nick Markakis

The problem is, Markakis is hardly an exciting option. He’s hitting .273/.346/.399 with a mere 9 home runs in 479 at bats for the Braves this season. However, his .346 OBP would make him a solid leadoff candidate for the Kansas City Royals.

Another issue is that Markakis has two-years and $22 million remaining on his contract after the end of the 2016 season. The KC Royals might not want to add that much salary with many of their core players hitting free-agency after the 2017 season. That money might be better spent keeping selected players in Royals Blue rather than paying a 32-year-old outfielder.

Next: Trade Target No. 2

Aug 22, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Logan Forsythe

The Royals need more on offense from second base. Raul Mondesi Jr. possesses terrific raw skills, but his bat just isn’t ready for major-league baseball. His .200/.218/.300 slash line is a black hole at the bottom of the lineup.

If we list veteran second baseman that could help boost the Kansas City Royals offense, then Logan Forsythe might top the list. He plays for the Tampa Bay Rays who are out of the race at 54-72. He’s hitting a very nice .276/.340/.472. Forsythe’s under contact at $2.25 million for 2016, which means the KC Royals would be on the hook for less than $600k. Plus, he’s got another year remaining on his current deal at $7 million.

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That’s the rub. Someone is likely to claim Logan Forsythe on waivers before the Kansas City Royals would get a shot at him.

Otherwise, his .276 with 21 doubles, 2 triples, and 16 home runs would look great at the top of the Royals lineup. He’s even a solid defender at second base with a 0.4 dWAR in 2016. Overall, he’s been worth 3.1 bWAR in 2016.

If the Rays were willing to deal Forsythe, they probably would have already done so before the trade deadline. Ok, I suppose it was a bit silly for me to list him here. I just think he’d be the perfect fit in the KC Royals lineup if Dayton Moore could somehow pull off mass hypnosis of his peers around the league to get him through waivers.

Next: Trade Target No. 1

Aug 7, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Brandon Phillips

A more realistic second base option that could get through waivers is 35-year-old Brandon Phillips. The venerable 3-time All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds is due a little over $3 million for the rest of 2016, and $14 million in 2017. Teams might balk at that price for an aging middle infielder like Phillips.

The KC Royals have pulled back into the race by winning 13 of their last 16 games. Could general manager Dayton Moore help out his team with an August trade acquisition?

Players The KC Royals Won’t Add

4. Jorge De La Rosa

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3. Nick Markakis

The Problem With Nick Markakis

2. Logan Forsythe

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1. Brandon Phillips

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