2 KC Royals who should have been traded at the trade deadline

Infielder Matt Duffy

I have been banging the Matt Duffy trade drum for quite some time. It is not because he is a bad player, but because some contender could certainly value his defensive versatility. The Royals offloaded one player fitting that mold in Nicky Lopez, but Duffy is a far better batter than Lopez this year. Both are contact hitters, but Duffy's .271 batting average and .324 on-base percentage outpaces Lopez by a mile. The expensive Lopez netted a player, albeit an unpopular one. It is not a stretch to think Duffy could have gotten the Royals some more minor-league depth.

Duffy has started at all bases for the Royals this season, with experience in the outfield and at shortstop as well. He has rebounded from some rough defensive seasons to at least be 0 outs above average player. Not great, but not a liability either. That is some sort of dependability that is not expected especially when players are coming off the bench.

I am not saying that Duffy would have netted a notable return. But nothing? After all, utilitymen that produce at the plate are not easy to come by. I hope the Royals at least shopped Duffy to teams or made him available, as he is on a one-year deal with the Royals. At 32 years old, the Royals should not count on him being with the team past this season. That reason alone should have enticed Kansas City to make him available for a minimal return.

The Royals need any help they can get. Duffy may have netted only an A-ball player or pitcher, but there are enticing Royals prospects that could take his place. The Royals seem intent on keeping Matt Beaty, who can cover first and the corner outfields. Samad Taylor needs more chances in the infield, namely at second base. That leaves a void at third base, but Nick Loftin could fill that spot. After all, the Royals need to add him to the 40-man roster and protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Trading away Duffy would have opened that spot for Loftin and given fans a debut to look forward to.