Will the Royals make a deal?
Craig Brown reacts to rumors the Royals are willing to deal Alec Marsh or Kris Bubic for a bat.
I’m also skeptical because I’m not sure either brings back the return that would be desired. Bubic, as noted above, seemed to break out before his injury but by the time he makes another start in the majors, it will be almost two years between that particular assignment. Marsh doesn’t have Bubic’s upside but he does have club control for a few more seasons. But will teams make a play for a pitcher like Marsh when there’s a guy like Michael Lorenzen on the open market? He would be a little more expensive for sure, but you can be fairly certain what you’re going to get and he won’t cost you a player or two.
You know and I know and everyone knows that if the Royals are looking to net the largest return possible while dealing a starter, that pitcher would be Singer. He comes with a much more proven track record and two years of club control. The salary is higher because of that track record. But the return would probably be more along the lines of that OBP bat the Royals are searching for.
Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains looks at potential trade returns for the pitchers.
Royals trade LHP Kris Bubic, RHP Chandler Champlain, and SS Austin Charles to the Los Angeles Angels for OF Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward has long been a name among Royals circles. Last deadline he was a favorite name of many but the Angels ultimately held on to their outfielder. The compensation here may seem hefty, but considering all factors I don’t think it’s all that unrealistic. Ward won’t be a free agent until 2027 and is coming off a solid 111 wRC+ in 2024. He enters his age-31 season in 2025 and should cost somewhere near $8.7 million in arbitration. Ward gives the Royals the improved on-base skills they’re in need of, even if they don’t come at elite levels. His zone contact rate fell some last season to 84.7% but has been at or near 90% for much of his big league career.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter considers some mid-tier free agent targets like Michael Conforto.
The Royals would be getting a professional hitter in Conforto, who also would be looking to return to the postseason (like the Royals themselves). Conforto could hit 20-plus home runs a season and post an OBP in the .320-.340 range over 450 to 500 plate appearances and 125-140 games in the corner outfield spots (preferably in right field, where he could platoon with Hunter Renfroe).
That hitting profile would be welcomed by a lineup that had a .306 OBP as a group and ranked 19th in baseball last season via Fangraphs. Furthermore, the Royals could bring him to Kansas City on a two-year deal in the $6-8 million AAV range.
Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman asks three questions the Royals need to answer about the outfield.
Former Royals pitcher Brad Keller is reportedly headed to Japan.
The Braves acquire shortstop Nick Allen from the Athletics.
Twins infielder Royce Lewis may be moving to second base. [$]
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Multiple teams are pursuing free agent first baseman Christian Walker.
The Twins may be looking to trade players to save money.
Teams will not be able to circumvent international bonus limits to sign Roki Sasaki. [$]
The new Rays stadium plan may lose its funding.
300-game winners may be a thing of the past.
Rays shortstop Wander Franco, already in trouble for sexual abuse and human trafficking, is arrested after an altercation.
Howard Bryant makes the case for Pete Rose to be in the Hall of Fame.
Jay Jaffe considers the Hall of Fame case for Dick Allen.
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Your song of the day is the B-52s with Private Idaho.