3 too-early trade partners that make too much sense for KC Royals

The KC Royals need help. The on-field product in the past week has proven that. While fans should still believe in this team's playoff chances, they cannot ignore the massive gaps in this team's roster. The gaps that allow nine-run innings, the gaps that force offensive lapses, the gaps that prevent many Royals fans from believing this team is different.

The KC Royals are already looking at ways to improve this 2024 roster.

Kansas City still sits multiple games above .500, offering a comfort many MLB teams are unacquainted with currently. But the gap between the Royals and the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians continues to grow wider and wider. May's rough ending for the Royals only helped that gap grow. But, that stretch showed this team where they need to improve and urgently do so.

The MLB trade deadline is less than two months away, falling on July 30 this year. General manager J.J. Picollo was active at his first deadline leading the franchise, making five trades from July 31 to August 1, but many more well before the clock struck twelve.

Kansas City landed James McArthur on May 8, setting a precedent for early activity from the Picollo-led Royals. Now in June, could Kansas City make up some lost ground? The outfield and bullpen are in desperate need of new faces, but the Royals do not have much expendable talent to trade for the sake of trading. If they need to get ahead of the market to get their guy, the Royals need to.

Kansas City came to the table too late once already this year and missed out on possibly acquiring Luis Arráez. They cannot afford to make the same mistake again. Any trade takes two to tango, so here are some sensible dance partners this far ahead of the trade deadline.

Oakland Athletics

Possible targets: RHP Austin Adams, OF Miguel Andujar, LHP Hogan Harris, OF Brent Rooker

Every team should at least call the Oakland Athletics this summer. While the AL West team has also surpassed expectations, nothing about this team makes fans believe they can win now or won't be sellers at the coming deadline. Closer Mason Miller will be one of the biggest trade targets in years if Oakland listens to offers for the flamethrowing rookie.

A potential trade package for Miller feels too rich for the Royals' blood, but there are plenty of other options to look at. Fans will rightfully focus on the bullpen and outfield, so let's do the same. The priciest potential target listed has to be Rooker, a player Kansas City waived following the 2022 season.

Rooker earned his first All-Star selection in 2023 and continues to be a key bat in Oakland's lineup. His 12 home runs and .283/.364/.561 line would be a welcome outfield boost in Kansas City, but his strikeout issues make him a volatile player to trade for. Still, his remaining team control and proven power will make him a popular target. If Kansas City wanted a budget option, they should look to converted outfielder Miguel Andujar.

On the relief side of things, Oakland has even more options. Miller's emergence has overshadowed veteran Austin Adams' 2024, but he has the arsenal and performance Kansas City needs right now. He owns a 2.37 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 27 relief appearances for the Athletics. He strikes out opposing batters at a 31.7% rate, something Kansas City's current relievers dream of. Hogan Harris is a multi-inning pitcher but could fill Kansas City's long-relief hole for the time being.

Los Angeles Angels

Possible targets: OF Taylor Ward, OF Kevin Pillar, RHP Hunter Strickland, RHP Hans Crouse

The Royals already traveled to Anaheim for a series against the Los Angeles Angels, giving Kansas City a closer look at some quality trade deadline targets. Los Angeles is mired in MLB's basement, gutting their fans who hoped to turn a page after Shohei Ohtani's departure. Outfielder Mike Trout's absence leaves this team without a soul and firmly last in the AL West.

The Angels gave Kansas City a great fight, thanks mostly to batters Jo Adell and Willie Calhoun. Both were frustrating powerhouses at the plate then, but have cooled off considerably. Kansas City should look to their fellow outfielders for some help, with varying levels of trade package prices.

Taylor Ward is one of the Angels' best players this season, but that is a low bar. Still, his 122-wRC+ bat would play well in the Royals lineup and be an immediate improvement in the lineup's lower half. He is vastly underperforming his expected stats, so would a trade partner buy low and look to Ward booming?

If Kansas City wanted a rental option, Kevin Pillar is their guy. The 35-year-old veteran is not in his athletic prime, but his booming bat has him on pace for a career year. Pillar is slashing .337/.385/.600 across 105 plate appearances this year, with six home runs and 25 RBI. He can play all the outfield positions but would slot best in left field so Kansas City could cycle through right fielders.

The Angels bullpen is one of MLB's worst, but that doesn't mean they lack one or two quality options. The best fit for Kansas City has to be veteran Hunter Strickland. The 35-year-old is on pace for a career year, thanks to a revamped slider. He doesn't induce whiffs at an elite rate, but he demonstrates above-average command and should be available for cheap.

Hans Crouse is my minor-league target, and Kansas City could give him another MLB opportunity. The former Philadelphia Phillies top prospect joined the Angels in a minor-league contract this past offseason and has done nothing but shove since. His 39.5% strikeout rate is turning heads, but his lack of walks and high groundball rate make me believe in him.