3 KC Royals trade targets the Yankees may watch this week

Over 60 years have passed since the Philadelphia Athletics’ move to Kansas City forced the Yankees to shift their KC minor league club to Denver. The changes didn’t disrupt player movement between New York and Kansas City, though, as the A’s engaged in a series of trades infamously favorable to the Yanks. But when Charlie Finley moved his Athletics to Oakland and the KC Royals replaced them, the Yankee-friendly pipeline ended.

That doesn’t mean the franchises won’t do business. The results just aren’t lopsided anymore. In fact, the Yankees might be scrutinizing a few Royals when the teams begin a three-game series Tuesday night in the Bronx—New York is still contending while Kansas City looks more and more like a seller as the July 30 trade deadline nears.

The Yanks sorely needs an outfielder or two. Center fielder Aaron Hicks (wrist) is likely out for the season, and Yankee veteran Brett Gardner’s two home runs, eight RBIs and .212 average leave the club unsatisfied. The situation is similar in left, where Miguel Andujar and Clint Frazier aren’t providing the production New York needs.

And like any other big league team, the Yankees could use a decent starting pitcher.

Their need for outfield help will tempt the Yankees to call the KC Royals.

The most pressing Yankee need is the outfield. Given their pick of Royals, his .283 average, .340 OBP and eight homers would certainly attract the Yanks to Andrew Benintendi, but his recent rib fracture means New York won’t be particularly interested.

Instead, expect the Yankees to check in on Whit Merrifield and his 40 RBIs, .274 average, and major league-leading 20 steals (he’s been caught only once). And Merrifield’s status as the most effectively versatile player in baseball today—he’s efficient and productive in any outfield slot and second base—makes him an ideal Yankee fit.

The Royals, though, aren’t trading Merrifield unless a return package is too phenomenal to pass up, and that’s not coming from New York.

Might another KC outfielder be of interest?

New York could add a starter, and one KC Royals pitcher will tempt them.

Trying to bolster their starting rotation in the offseason, the Yankees signed free agent Corey Kluber and traded for Jameson Taillon.

Neither move has panned out so far. Although Kluber started well with a 4-3 record, 3.04 ERA and 9.3 SO9 in 10 starts, he hasn’t pitched since a right rotator cuff strain landed him on the Injured List in late May. The club moved him from the 10-day to 60-day IL June 5, so he won’t see action until at least late July. Taillon, a 14-game winner with Pittsburgh in 2018, is 1-4, 5.59 in 13 starts.

The Yankees have Gerrit Cole, of course, who’s 8-3, but only Domingo German and Kluber have at least four wins, and the starters own just 20 of the team’s 38 victories through Saturday. New York could use another reliable pitcher in its rotation.

The Royals’ Mike Minor fits that bill.

Minor is a durable hurler who’s pitched over 200 innings twice and reached 179.1 once. He went 12-8 and 14-10 for Texas in 2018 and 2019.

More immediately important is Minor’s 2021 work. He struck out six, walked one, and gave up two runs to beat Boston Sunday and push his record to 6-4. Minor is tied with Brad Keller for the club lead in wins and games started (15). He’s pitched more innings (86.1) than any other Kansas City starter, is averaging almost six frames per start, and leads the staff with 92 strikeouts. The lefty’s WHIP is 1.18, his OBA .234.

Simply put, Minor is the KC Royals’ ace, a starter who should attract considerable market attention in the next few weeks. He’s on a two-year contract, but that won’t prevent teams from calling and the Royals from talking.

Because Minor pitched Sunday, the Yankees won’t face him this week—his regular turn in the rotation won’t come until the Royals play Texas Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Don’t be surprised if the Yankees scout him then. They may not be able to resist.

The KC Royals open a three-game series with the Yankees Tuesday night in New York. The Yankees are in the hunt, need some help, and may be watching Kansas City’s roster closely.