Who are the best, realistic relief fits for KC Royals at MLB trade deadline?

The MLB trade deadline is getting perilously close, and baseball fans everywhere are waiting for what their team will do. The KC Royals already have a handful of trades this month, most notably acquiring right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals.

The initial sticker shock did not please Royals fans, but the bullpen trades around the league since have mad losing Cayden Wallace and the 39th overall draft pick more palatable.

Harvey's performance with the Royals has been inconsistent, and there are also shortcomings in the remaining relief options. Kansas City must actively seek another relief pitcher before the July 30 deadline.

We can throw names around until the cows come home. Just like any acquisition pool, there are levels to this. Let's look at 12 pitchers across four different levels and what makes each an enticing trade target.

Top, but improbable, trade targets

These are the players who will capture the headlines, with every fan base clamoring for them. However, the Royals do not have enough valuable prospects to acquire any of these relievers.

1. LHP Tanner Scott, Miami Marlins

Stats: 6-5, 44 G, 18 SV, 1.18 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 10.45 K/9, 5.32 BB/9

Tanner Scott is perhaps the most valuable player who can be leased at this trade deadline. As a formidable left-handed reliever, he has accumulated 50 saves since joining the Marlins in 2022. His dominant pitch combination consists solely of a fastball-slider mix.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal ($), the Kansas City team has expressed interest in Scott, but the asking price is likely too high for them. With numerous contending teams pursuing him, the Marlins are poised to secure the best possible value in any deal.

2. RHP Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals

Stats: 2-4, 45 G, 28 SV, 2.47 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 9.07 K/9, 2.89 BB/9

Finnegan's effectiveness lies in his ability to control the game, especially in high-pressure situations. His ground-ball rate of 42.7% and improved command, with a 4.6% walk rate since June, illustrate his strong performance. The Nationals exclusively use him as a high-leverage arm, and his 24 shutdown performances demonstrate why they have so much faith in Finnegan.

Finnegan, like Harvey, is not available for rent, which is important to Kansas City. He is attracting interest for this reason, and his strong track record goes back to 2022. Several NL teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers, are also interested in the right-handed pitcher. Even though Kansas City has acquired Harvey, it doesn't mean they can't make another deal with the same team. However, it seems unlikely, especially because Finnegan's price tag is too high.

3. RHP Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox

Stats: 2-8, 43 G, 9 SV, 4.74 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 12.16 K/9, 4.95 BB/9

With the White Sox reportedly less likely to trade stars like center fielder Luis Robert Jr. or starter Garrett Crochet, that means they will squeeze all the value they can out of their remaining trade chips. Kopech is no different, despite his ugly numbers.

The righty racks up strikeouts at a breakneck pace, thanks to a fastball that averages 98.5 MPH. The abysmal White Sox fielding has hampered his game-level results, but Kopech is still learning the bullpen ropes. The reason I have him out of Kansas City's reach is simply because they are in the AL Central.

“The White Sox are telling contenders in the AL Central, including the Minnesota Twins, that they really would prefer not to trade within the division,” USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote on Sunday.

Targets that are in a higher tax bracket

These stars are undoubtedly in demand as the trade deadline draws near. The acquisition price will be high, possibly even higher than what the Rays received for Jason Adam. A large trade package will be required by any team hoping to acquire one of these three players. They will cost a lot to acquire—possibly even more than the Rays paid for Jason Adam. Before making a deal, the Royals must carefully consider their choices because adding any of these players could eliminate them from contention for a big bat come the trade deadline.

4. RHP Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays

Stats: 2-3, 37 G, 19 SV, 3.19 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 8.35 K/9, 3.93 BB/9

Dealing with the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade feels like making a deal with the devil in baseball terms. While the Rays might not be dominating Major League Baseball this year, they have a strong track record of winning trades. This, combined with the high demand for late-inning relief pitchers, makes trading with Fairbanks a risky decision.

Fairbanks has achieved two consecutive seasons with an fWAR of 1.0 or higher, which is impressive for a reliever. Although he doesn't strike out as many batters, his career strikeout rate stands at 12.06 per 9 innings. At 30 years old and under contract with the team until 2026, Fairbanks offers both strong on-field performance and cost efficiency, making him a valuable asset for the Tampa Bay Rays. He would likely serve as the primary closer for most teams, which is a position that Kansas City desperately needs to fill immediately.

5. RHP Lucas Erceg, Oakland Athletics

Stats: 2-3, 38 G, 3 SV, 3.68 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 10.06 K/9, 3.19 BB/9

For the teams that want Mason Miller, they will have to settle for Lucas Erceg. The righty has the best raw arsenal available at the trade deadline, and the former position player still has room to grow on the mound.

The 29-year-old isn't a free agent until 2030 and only has 88 games in his MLB career. However, his dominant fastball and wipeout slider are impossible to ignore and likely make him one of the best setup men in all of baseball. I find it hard to believe Oakland values Erceg to a level similar to Miller, especially considering Erceg's age. I predict he will be on the move before Tuesday.

6. RHP Chad Green, Toronto Blue Jays

Stats: 3-2, 30 G, 7 SV, 1.74 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 7.84 K/9, 2.61 BB/9

The Blue Jays need to bolster their bullpen for the rest of the season, but they have already traded multiple bullpen arms. Would it be wise to also part ways with the valuable Chad Green?

Green's performance in the 2024 season has been impressive. He has maintained a 1.74 ERA over 31 innings. His effectiveness is evident from his solid 23.1% strikeout rate and respectable 7.7% walk rate. However, some advanced metrics, such as his 3.82 SIERA, suggest that his success may be influenced by luck, as indicated by a 100% strand rate and a low BABIP. Nevertheless, Green's skills make him a valuable asset in the bullpen.

Fangraphs' Dan Szymborski stated, "Green is unlikely to require a large price despite his solid ERA," and the need for middle infield help makes Toronto and Kansas City feasible fits.

Underappreciated trade targets

These are the targets that are not garnering headlines but would certainly improve the Royals' bullpen. Kansas City will have to get creative if they want to make multiple additional moves, and these targets may be where they exercise that imagination.

10. RHP Anthony Bender, Miami Marlins

Stats: 4-2, 45 G, 1 SV, 3.83 ERA, 2.90 FIP, 9.45 K/9, 2.70 BB/9

Anthony Bender lost the 2023 season due to injury, but the righty hasn't skipped a beat for the Marlins. This is the best he has looked since 2021 when he made his MLB debut. The Royals drafted Bender back in 2016, and he has finally found a foothold in Miami.

Bender is a sinker-slider pitcher, so his locker should be placed next to Brady Singer's. While his sinker needs work, his slider has been exceptionally good. The Marlins have only used Bender in a low-leverage role due to his shortcomings and the availability of better options in the bullpen. Kansas City could consider reuniting with Bender and taking advantage of his roster flexibility.

Bender has three remaining minor-league options that the Kansas City team can control through 2028. His sinker used to be his dominant pitch. Pitching coach Brian Sweeney and the team will work to fix whatever is ailing Bender. There is only one way to find out if they can help him.

11. LHP Erik Miller, San Francisco Giants

Stats: 3-3, 48 G, 0 SV, 3.47 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 10.61 K/9, 4.44 BB/9

This is a trade that San Francisco might hesitate to make. However, Erik Miller's potential as a rookie player is too impressive to overlook.

Originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Miller was traded to the Giants in January 2023. He swiftly progressed through the Giants' minor league system, delivering impressive performances at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels before making his major league debut in March 2024. Lately, Miller has been serving as an opener, experiencing both highs and lows in San Francisco.

Miller's fastball-changeup combination is responsible for most of his strikeouts, while his slider shows promise. San Francisco hasn't heavily invested in the left-hander, and his performance in the bullpen hasn't been outstanding. Moving Miller wouldn't necessarily push San Francisco into a rebuild either.

I would at least ask, but what do I know?

12. RHP Fernando Cruz, Cincinnati Reds

Stats: 3-7, 50 G, 0 SV, 4.46 ERA, 2.82 FIP, 14.03 K/9, 4.46 BB/9

With the Cincinnati Reds slipping farther back in the Wild Card hunt, they may emerge as the surprise selling team this deadline. If so, I am eyeing their bullpen for some help. If Kansas City wants an undervalued reliever, Fernando Cruz is the man.

Cruz, a former Royals draftee, did not advance beyond rookie ball in the Kansas City system. He made his MLB debut in 2022 after several seasons away from affiliated baseball, portraying the quintessential late bloomer. Despite being a volatile pitcher, he proves to be dominant more often than not.

His splitter may be the best in baseball, while his fastball and cutter are also effective pitches. This is something that Kansas City's bullpen is missing – a reliever with a dominant pitch that can strike out even the best batters. Cruz possesses that kind of pitch.

Cincinnati acquired Cruz for pennies on the dollar, but they may be reluctant to move their setup man. However, the Reds have relievers ready to take Cruz's spot. If the Reds want to retool and get younger, moving on from the 34-year-old Cruz is a viable option.

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