3 big mistakes the KC Royals should not make...but might

Trading Nicky Lopez might make some sense, but the KC Royals shouldn't do it.

The speculation isn't rampant, at least not yet, but some advocate for moving Nicky Lopez. He's dispensable, they say, even after becoming the first Royal shortstop to hit .300 only a year ago, and being arguably snubbed for at least two Gold Gloves.

The rap on Lopez is, of course, his bat. Other than in 2021, when he stepped in admirably for Adalberto Mondesi and achieved that .300 average over a highly successful season, and as his .240 in 2019, .201 in 2020, and .227 last season tend to prove, he hasn't hit well enough to play every day.

But does that mean the Royals should trade him? No. He's fast defensively and offensively (22 steals two seasons ago and 13 last year), hits from the left side, and plays stellar defense.

It's that good glove that makes Lopez worth keeping, especially considering his ability to play second base, shortstop and third well. His career fielding percentages of .990 at second, .986 at short, and 1.000 in limited exposure to third, are all above league average, and his 14 OAA at shortstop last season were second only to Dansby Swanson in the majors.

Only Adalberto Mondesi has Lopez's kind of infield versatility, but the torn ACL he suffered last year and his significant prior injury history renders him unreliable over the long haul of a full big league season. And with Whit Merrifield gone and Nate Eaton and Michael Massey untested for a complete campaign, the Royals need a proven versatile backup infielder, one capable of playing every night if necessary.

Perhaps Kansas City could get a decent return for Lopez, which might lead J.J. Picollo to listen to offers. But for now, the Royals need him.

The KC Royals should resist any temptation to trade closer Scott Barlow.

Former Kansas City manager Mike Matheny rarely referred to his closer as "closer." But in 2021, when he earned his seventh save Aug. 18 to tie Greg Holland for the team lead, then passed Holland three games later, it was beginning to look like Scott Barlow, even absent Matheny's regular acknowledgment, was becoming the Royals' closer.

Barlow went on to save 16 games to Holland's eight that season, and removed any doubt about his claim to the closer's role by saving a career-high 24 in 2022. His fine 2.18 ERA was his second straight sub-3.00 ERA (he finished at 2.42 in 2021), and he dipped below a 1.00 WHIP for the first time with a 0.996. He walked fewer than three batters per nine innings (2.7) and averaged over nine strikeouts per nine frames (9.3)

In short, Barlow was excellent. The Royals probably could have dealt him away for prospects at the trade deadline, but didn't, perhaps suggesting a lack of desire to move their closer.

Now, in the middle of baseball's trade season, there's little doubt Kansas City could net a nice return for Barlow. But trading him is something to which management shouldn't give much thought. After all, he's one of the best closers in the game and probably the most reliable pitcher on the roster. The team also controls Barlow for two more seasons; he isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2024 campaign.

Some claim good closers are easy to find. Others say they're easy to develop from long or middle reliever, or even starter, stock. But Barlow is proven inventory, the most valuable bullpen piece Kansas City has, and a pitcher who gets better every year.

The Royals have one of the shallowest and shakiest pitching staffs in the big leagues. They need every good hurler they can get. They might deal Barlow at some point, but this isn't the time.

Kansas City shouldn't sign Mike Moustakas or trade Nicky Lopez or Scott Barlow.