Trade Deadline Primer Excerpt: Kansas City Royals

[Nick Nelson]

The Royals are ushering in their top prospect Bobby Witt and he's looked good, which is one of the few highlights of another dismal season in KC. They've got a ways to go if they want to reach the level of the top dogs in the Central, and even Detroit looks more well stocked in its rebuild. Kansas City needs to acquire impact prospect capital wherever they can find it ... maybe even from within the division.

 

The organization's top prospects list shows a shortage of young arms that are anywhere near ready. This looks like a classic opportunity to swap projectable minor-league pitchers for established vets.

Top Target
Josh Staumont, RH Reliever
Staumont is having a bit of a down year, at least in comparison to his tremendous career-opening run (2.93 ERA from 2019 through 2021) but he's still blowing people away with a huge fastball that routinely sits in the high-90s. The 28-year-old has been a consistent force since arriving in the majors, and the Twins are plenty familiar.

Walks have been Staumont's biggest issue this season (18 BB in 28 IP through the break) but he's still been excellent when finding the zone, with only one homer allowed. He's under control for three more seasons, so acquiring him would take a haul, but his slight decline along with the general hopelessness of Kansas City's situation could lead to an openness on this front.

Other Targets of Interest
Scott Barlow, RH Reliever
Enjoying a career year as Royals closer, with a 2.06 ERA and 16-for-18 conversion rate on saves in the first half. He's 29 and controllable for two more years – probably a bit more gettable than Staumont, but won't be cheap.

Brad Keller, RH Starter
He'd be a solid inning-eating mid-rotation guy, but little more. Not the most exciting addition but something the Twins could use, and his team control in 2023 would offer some back-end rotation stability going forward.

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You're reading an excerpt of the 2022's Twins Daily Trade Deadline Primer about potential trade targets that we are providing free to Twins Daily's Caretakers. If you sign up now to be a Caretaker, you can download all six Divisional Dossiers as they're released, including the full version of this one, which we sent out to Caretakers earlier today. Plus, you'll get a free Offseason Handbook this fall and other perks. More importantly, you're helping support the writers and workers that make Twins Daily possible and keeping it viable for future generations of Twins fans. Thanks!

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Amir Garrett, RH Reliever
He was a standout reliever with big stuff in the Reds bullpen for several years but has struggled in the past couple, with command continually eluding him. A reclamation project at age 30, but one with upside, and he'd cost very little.

Sleeper Target
Michael A. Taylor, OF
Gilberto Celestino and Nick Gordon have been fine for the Twins, but I wouldn't blame the club for seeking a more reliable and experienced option to fill the role of Buxton's backup and speedster off the bench. Taylor could occupy that very nicely – he's very fast, plays a decent center field, has a respectable bat, and took part in Washington's World Series run in 2019.

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[Doctor Gast]

Thanks Nick, always enjoy your articles. KC has a very good BP as does DET but I don't see it worth it to pursue trading with them inter-divisional. The rest of the group I'm not interested to pursue.

I think there are better RPs out there. But if everything falls apart and KC or DET are the only ladies available, I'd dance with them.

[Rosterman]

Rather than Kansas City worried about releasing a good piece to the Twins in a trade, more worried about what Minnesota gives Kansas City to be better in the future.