KC Royals Trades: 4 high-value potential deals

As the KC Royals enter the summer months, baseball’s August 2 trade deadline approaches. The frenzy and buzz shouldn’t be any different than in seasons past.

After considering what the team’s deadline strategy should be, it’s time to take a look at some possible moves.

Determining which players’ contracts or performance probably make them difficult, if not impossible, to trade is important—Hunter Dozier ($25 million contract) and Carlos Santana (performance) come to mind.

Eliminating from the trade equation players with whom Kansas City is probably unwilling to part is just as important. Loyalty and a strong history with the club matter (Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield); so does how, or if, certain players figure into the club’s future plans (Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, and Daniel Lynch).

How to determine the value of KC Royals players in this summer’s trade talks.

This process leaves four key names fans should expect to hear about in trade discussions: Scott Barlow, Andrew Benintendi, Michael A. Taylor and Brad Keller. All are valuable on the field, don’t have hefty contracts, and should be able to help contenders down the stretch. What would a good trade return look like for each?

Baseball Trade Values simplifies answering that question. The site takes into account many factors including WAR, years of control, injury risk, salary, and others, then makes certain in-season adjustments and creates a “value” for each player. This helps create a good sense of player worth and fair return on the trade market

Next to each player discussed here, you’ll see their Baseball Trave Values “value” in bold.

Let’s see where the process might take us.

Trading Andrew Benintendi could net the KC Royals some good young pitchers.

Benintendi’s value per Baseball Trade Values: 11.50

Benintendi will likely be one of the headliners of this summer’s deadline news. He’s the Royals’ biggest trade chip and should be one of the biggest targets. When determining a trade match, finding teams that are struggling with outfield production is key; the Padres have reportedly already discussed Benintendi with Kansas City and, according to their fWARs, these teams could use corner upgrades:

• San Diego: 25th in fWAR from right-fielders
• Toronto: 26th in fWAR from left-fielders
• St Louis: 27th in fWAR from left-fielders
• Atlanta: 30th in fWAR from left-fielders

Each club could stand to gain significantly by acquiring Benintendi and all have a chance to compete in October. The Braves could give the Royals a couple of outstanding young pitching prospects and, with Kansas City ranking among the worst teams in baseball in virtually every pitching statistical category, the time is ripe to acquire more hurlers. This deal might work:

Royals trade Benintendi (11.50) for Muller (5.50) and Elder (3.80)

Kyle Muller, 24 and MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 Atlanta prospect, and Bryce Elder, 23 and Pipeline’s No. 4 Braves’ prospect, can give the Royals even more young pitching talent than they have now. Muller’s fastball, slider and curve are plus pitches. He’s 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 55.1 innings at Triple-A.

Elder throws a fastball, curve, slider, and change and is 1-3, 4.74 in four starts for the Braves this season. He’s currently pitching in Triple-A with a 2-3, 5.66 record in seven starts. Elder was 11-5, 2.75 with a 10.1 BB9 across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A last year.

Trading Scott Barlow could net the KC Royals even more pitching depth.

Barlow’s value per Baseball Trade Values: 11.10

Scott Barlow had the makings of a major trade deadline asset last season but the Royals kept their elite reliever. That shouldn’t be the case this year, though—Barlow turns 30 in December and for a team so far from contention, it makes sense to capitalize on his value now. Because bullpen arms are such hot commodities at every trade deadline, Barlow should bring good talent in return.

Although many contenders need relief help, these may be the best fits for a Barlow deal:

• Toronto: 22nd in reliever fWAR
• St Louis: 21st in reliever fWAR
• New York: 19th in reliever fWAR
• San Francisco: 18th in reliever fWAR

So, how about a deal with cross-state rival St. Louis?

Royals trade Barlow (11.10) for McGreevy (11.20)

McGreevy, 21 and Pipeline’s No. 8 Cardinal prospect, has good control and a 55-grade fastball, 55 slider, 50 curve, and 50 changeup. The Cards’ first-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft, he’s 5-2, 3.06 with a 1.5 BB9 across 11 High-A and Double-A starts.

This trade could also deepen the Royals’ pitching arsenal and improve their pitching future, but won’t bring immediate help at the big league level.

The KC Royals could swap outfielder Michael A. Taylor for a starting pitcher.

Taylor’s value per Baseball Trade Values: 4.20

Michael A Taylor has been phenomenal in 2022—per Fangraphs, his walk rate is up to 13.2% from just 6.3% in 2021, his strikeouts have dropped from 27.3% last year to 19.4%, and his 120 wRC+ would be the best of his career over a full season. He still plays an outstanding center field.

With such a modest contract commitment to go with those excellent numbers, many teams will come calling for Taylor this summer, with these three perhaps needing him more than others:

• Milwaukee: 28th in CF fWAR
• Boston: 25th in CF fWAR
• Atlanta: 23rd in CF fWAR

Royals trade Taylor (4.20) for Small (4.50)

Small could be the fourth pitcher acquired by Kansas City in this version of perfect trade deadline results. Trading Taylor to Milwaukee for Small capitalizes on Taylor’s value, opens the door for Kyle Isbel in center, and adds another young, promising arm.

Small, 25, was the Brewers’ first-round draft selection in 2019. His fastball-changeup combination is deadly; he also throws a curveball and slider.

Over nine Triple-A starts this year, he’s 3-2, 2.41 with an 11.0 SO9 and could be an immediate option for the Royals’ major league bullpen with enough potential to develop into a solid mid-rotation starter.