3 KC Royals who survived the trade deadline but will get dealt this offseason

More than a week removed from the MLB trade deadline, it is safe to say the KC Royals had a solid showing. They added a pair of rental players as well as two impactful bullpen arms for 2024 and beyond. Kansas City managed these additions without sacrificing any players on the 26-man roster, opting instead to make room by demoting others.

It was improbable, but thinking Kansas City would leverage some of their MLB talent in trade packages wasn't uncommon. The team had specific roles to address, and giving up some of their depth in the infield or starting rotation was one way to ensure impactful acquisitions before August.

Ultimately, prospects and the 39th overall pick in this year's MLB Draft fueled Kansas City's deadline moves.

The KC Royals will have chances and trade assets to improve this offseason.

No matter how the remainder of 2024 goes, Kansas City will be active this coming winter. Their name was among the most common in the deadline's headline moves, like outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. or reliever Tanner Scott. Royals general manager J.J. Picollo is committed to improving this team, and he is just getting started.

Given that, there shouldn't be more than a few untouchable players in offseason trade talks. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is locked up long-term, while veterans like catcher Salvador Perez and starter Seth Lugo helped turn this team around quickly. However, there are plenty of players lower down the pecking order who may not be on this team come Opening Day 2025.

RHP Brady Singer

2025 ZiPS projected stats: 7-9, 25 G, 137 IP, 8.21 K/9, 2.76 BB/9, 4.47 ERA, 4.07 FIP
2025 contract status: Second year of arbitration

This is going to be an unpopular addition to the list, especially after pitcher Brady Singer's bounceback 2024 season. But there is a scenario and other factors that make the righty an enticing trade target this coming offseason.

Singer has the least amount of team control remaining on this list, which is one of the major factors fueling this speculation. The 28-year-old could have been extended for a song this past offseason, but his price tag is only going up as 2024 goes along. With two more years of arbitration remaining, Singer has plenty of earning potential. Whether or not Kansas City locks him down is a big question, one without a clear answer.

If Picollo and the company are hesitant about signing Singer long-term, why not look at trading him now? His value is peaking, along with the general value of rotational pitchers. Singer would be a top-two option on some teams, but a top-three option in most of the league. Besides, the Royals may have pitchers ready to take his place.

The 2025 roles and expectations for Kyle Wright and Kris Bubic throw another wrench into this dynamic. Bubic, currently coming out of the bullpen, is not transitioning to a full-time reliever but rather helping the team while the rotation remains full. Wright, acquired this last offseason from the Atlanta Braves, is scheduled for a normal offseason. He will be pushing for a rotation spot come next spring, no matter who is or isn't in Kansas City.

Both of those players also ignore Michael Wacha's possible opt-in for 2025 or any other offseason acquisitions. The Royals starting pitching riches are the envy of MLB, so why not pull from the overflowing cup to fill a barren one?

Singer is performing so well that I do not want him to be dealt right now. But his value in doing so could help Kansas City be a more well-rounded squad and competitive for years to come. The possibility is valuable enough that Picollo cannot make Singer an untouchable player this winter.

RHP Carlos Hernández

2025 ZiPS projected stats: 4-5, 45 G, 74 IP, 8.39 K/9, 3.77 BB/9, 4.62 ERA, 4.35 FIP
2025 contract status: Second year of arbitration

It is imperative for the Royals to make roster adjustments by clearing some 40-man spots at the bottom of their roster. The Venezuelan once had promise in the rotation, then in the bullpen, but all that evaporated across a rocky end to 2023, and that continued into 2024. However, his raw velocity and remaining team control present challenges in considering Hernández as a release candidate from Kansas City's perspective.

Hernández has been one of the longest-tenured players in the Royals organization, signing as an international free agent in July 2016. Since then, he worked his way up through the minor league system and eventually made his MLB debut in 2020. His results since then have been shaky, at best.

Royals fans have not seen the righty since July 4 this season, following a three-walk, three-run appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was a surprising output looking at his previous performances, but not a surprise considering his season as a whole. Thanks to career-worst marks in inducing swings and misses and the 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio, every appearance felt like a disaster waiting to happen.

Hernández has performed inconsistently with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers ever since that July 4 performance. His 3.33 walk-to-strikeout ratio is much more acceptable, but the runs keep coming. He has allowed a .259 batting average in his six games since returning to Omaha, but two consecutive shutout appearances provide some hope that the Strom Chasers reprieve has aided Hernández.

But that hope is not strong enough for the Royals to depend on. Hernández has had plenty of chances and still cannot solidify his position as an MLB reliever. He couldn't do so in some abysmal Royals bullpens, so where does he fit if Kansas City invests in the bullpen this offseason? My belief is he is the first reliever removed from the team this offseason.

Hernández is not a free agent until 2028, placing him under team control for his presumed best playing years. That control has value around the league, even if Hernández isn't a high-leverage pitcher. Finding a trade partner for Hernández shouldn't be terribly hard, as long as Kansas City is willing to take anything in exchange for that 40-man roster spot.

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