KC Royals News: A possible injury, trade rumor, and Moose

If you’re wondering (and you probably are) why Carlos Santana is in Kansas City’s lineup again today, mlb.com KC beat writer Anne Rogers has the answer. Via Twitter, Rogers reports that, per KC Royals Manager Mike Matheny, Santana is in for Hunter Dozier while the club determines his status after he felt “something in his side” during Monday’s series-opening game with Toronto.

The news increases the intrigue surrounding first base. Dozier is slashing .257/.320/.415 with five home runs this season while Santana has an ugly .163/.303/.248 line and two homers; the only reason Santana survives roster moves is the club’s apparent obsession with trying to increase his trade value.

But what if Dozier’s “something” turns out to be serious? What will the Royals do then?

Santana simply isn’t a viable long-term option. His numbers prove that. Instead, Kansas City must look to Triple-A Omaha, where Vinnie Pasquantino, the club’s fourth best prospect per MLB Pipeline, waits in the wings with 15 homers , 16 other extra-base hits, and a .281/.370/.622 slash.

The Royals have been too slow to promote Pasquantino. But bringing him to KC is a must if tests determine Dozier faces an extended absence.

Trade speculation is swirling around KC Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi.

At some point, probably in the not too distant future, Kansas City will part ways with left fielder Andrew Benintendi, their finest hitter this season who’s playing out his contract. Baseball fans and writers are already diving headfirst into speculation about who the Royals will deal away at the August trade deadline, and Benintendi’s name heads the lists.

Kings of Kauffman is no exception. Our Preston Farr wrote recently about possible moves the Royals could make to improve their future and believes the Brewers might be a good Benintendi trade partner, and I discussed the probability of KC trading Benintendi in this space not long before that.

And at least three of our FanSided sister sites have weighed in on Kansas City’s star left fielder. Seth Carter at Tomahawk Take believes Benintendi can help the Braves, Yanks Go Yard’s Adam Weinrib sees Benintendi as a good fit for the Yankees, and Drew Koch at fansided.com thinks the White Sox should also consider him.

Now, another source indicates a Kansas City-San Diego deal involving Benintendi might be in the works. East Village Times writer James Clark reported Tuesday that the Padres and Royals are talking about a possible trade that would send Benintendi to San Diego, presumably for prospects.

Whether such talks proceed further and bear fruit remains to be seen but, as Clark points out, the Padres probably have the financial wherewithal and prospects to do such a deal. Benintendi, an excellent hitter and Gold Glover, can bolster San Diego’s offense and defense, and the Royals are always looking for prospects.

Former KC Royals slugger Mike Moustakas can’t stay healthy in Cincinnati.

After spending a season-and-a-half with Milwaukee following the end of several successful Kansas City campaigns, Mike Moustakas signed a four-year, $64 million contract with Cincinnati before the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. But its handsome payout to Moose notwithstanding, the deal hasn’t borne the on-field fruit player or club anticipated.

Instead, Moustakas, his Cincinnati performance devastated by eight separate trips to the Injured List, is hitting .212 with only 17 home runs and 60 RBIs since joining the Reds, and .200 with three homers in 40 games this season. Those eight interruptions, the latest of which started Monday and constitutes his third trip to the IL this year, have deprived the Reds of his services for more than half of their games since he arrived in Cincinnati.

Although Moustakas turns 34 in September and for that reason alone may not have many seasons left, injury issues may represent a bigger threat to his career.

Time will tell. And it may be catching up with him.

Will the Royals call up Vinnie Pasquantino if Hunter Dozier goes on the IL? Will they trade Andrew Benintendi to the Padres? Are Mike Moustakas’ playing days numbered? Let us know what you think.