KC Royals: Alex Rios Refused Mid-Season Trade to KC

Outfielder Alex Rios reportedly turned down a trade to the Kansas City Royals last July, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.

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Royals rumors indicate that the 34-year-old Rios, then with the Texas Rangers, wanted Kansas City to pick up his $13.5 million option for 2015. The Royals refused. Rios then used his no-trade clause to kill the deal.

Apparently, Rios motivations were purely financial, since he had no objection to playing in Kansas City this winter. Rios signed a $11-million, 1-year deal to play for the Kansas City Royals in 2015.

While the Royals did save 2.5 million in this transaction, Rios did get his money since the Rangers had to pay a $2 million buyout after failing to exercise his 2015 option.

Looking at Alex Rios’ month-by-month splits from 2014 suggests that he wouldn’t have been much help during Kansas City’s stretch drive and playoff run. He was miserable in August and September/October:

Split	G	PA	AB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
April/March	28	116	109	.321	.353	.440	.794
May	28	116	109	.312	.345	.505	.849
June	25	99	92	.261	.293	.337	.630
July	23	90	85	.318	.344	.424	.768
August	23	85	83	.169	.188	.253	.441
Sept/Oct	4	15	14	.286	.333	.357	.690

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Rios only played 27 games in the season’s final two months, for a grand total of 97 rather unimpressive at bats with 0 home runs. It is certainly possible that Rios went into the tank due to the Rangers lost season, yet I have a hard time believing that Alex Rios would have been much help in the playoffs.

Yet, Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore seems to think Alex Rios can bounce back from a difficult season in which Rios posted a .280/.311/.398 slash line with a mere 4 home runs. Alex Rios suffered through an injury-filled year in which he only played in 131 games and struggled with ailments.

Before Alex Rios crashed in the 2nd half, he hit a solid .305/.333/.440 with 4 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Good health would have made Rios numbers look much better last year.

Look for Rios to run far more frequently now that he plays in Kansas City, since Royals manager Ned Yost expects his team to be very aggressive on the basepaths. Rios stole 42 bases for the White Sox as recently as 2013.

Alex Rios and fellow free agent Kendrys Morales are expected to inject some much-need power in the Kansas City lineup. Rios has hit 165 home runs in his 11-year career, including a high-water mark of 25 for the White Sox in 2012.

Unfortunately, Rios’ contract calls for a $9.5 salary, with a $12.5 million option in 2016 and $1.5 million buyout. That means if the Royals fall out of contention by the deadline next season, they will be similarly limited in cutting a deal for Rios as the Rangers were in 2014.

Next: Top 5 paid players for 2014 Kansas City Royals

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