Kansas City Royals Rumors: Three Potential Trade Targets

The Kansas City Royals have run their winning streak up to seven games. Only the Dodgers have been a hotter team. Not only that, but the new guys just joined the team last night in Detroit. So we have yet to see how they will contribute.

Even with all the positive momentum Mike Petriello of mlb.com says the Kansas City Royals can do more. In a recent article Petriello lays out a plan for the team to go all-in on one last ride. It may not be the last season we see every member of the current core in KC, but for the ones who are departing why not send them out in style.

At this point it is hard to argue this line of thinking. As much as my mind tells me the long game is always the smarter play, the Kansas City Royals are making it hard to listen to. There are not many better situations than the one they are in to push the chips to the middle of the table.

So if it is indeed the right time to go for broke, and by doing so broke will be a gentle term the next few years, then Petriello has as a decent plan that he suggests. I may not agree with all of it, but there are parts where I feel him and I should be besties. Here’s a quick overview of his ideas.

• Acquire current Red – Zack Cozart
• Acquire current Phillie – Pat Neshek
• Acquire current Met – Jay Bruce

I am all in on the Zack Cozart campaign. In fact I declared that very move to be the one that would prove the Kansas City Royals where all-in as they claimed. If you don’t remember this from the recent past you can read it here.

Pat Neshek is an interesting option. He is an All-Star reliever on a Phillies team that is not competing any time soon. Making such a move would give Moore a surplus of arms and the possibility of dealing from them for one of the other mentioned players. *Kelvin Herrera in a Cozart deal?

Finally we come to Jay Bruce. This is a name that the staff here at KoK have discussed several times over the past few weeks. I just simply can’t get behind it though. Yes he would, theoretically, push Brandon Moss to the bench. Yes he is a better defensive option in the corner outfield than Moss as well. So he could upgrade the DH/Reserve OF roles.

However, the Kansas City Royals have struggled against left handed pitching. Does he address that? Or, perhaps more pertinent, why make a move giving up assets when we have the answer already?

More from KC Royals Rumors

• 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?
• Wainwright deal would create issues for KC Royals

Jorge Soler once again finds himself in Triple-A Omaha. He has absolutely raked during the time he has spent in the minors this season. Yes he has struggled during the time he has spent with the big club also. The difference? As I have said before, Soler needs consistent at bats to be productive. That is something he has simply not been able to get in KC.

Commit to him as the everyday DH, he should improve the performance against lefties. Oh and he is not a scrub in the OF either. Jorge is a long term piece for this team that needs to be a part of whatever happens in the next couple of months.

Next: What's Next for the Royals?

So to recap: It’s a resounding “Make it happen Captain!” when it comes to Zack Cozart. Neshek I’m fine with, especially if it allows an asset to free up to complete a Cozart deal. Bruce I’ll pass on. I’m interested to hear the opinions of #RoyalsNation on these names and potential trade targets.