Kansas City Royals: Potential Trade Targets
By Paul York
Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
In any trade involving the Royals obtaining an outfielder, they’d probably need to also move Jarrod Dyson or Aoki. The Royals did elect to carry five outfielders earlier in the season, so I suppose that is possible too.
If the Royals simply want to obtain someone who will produce similarly to what they thought Aoki would, then guys like Jay and Tabata make some sense. My problem with that is that I don’t think it’s enough, and I’m also not convinced that Dyson couldn’t outperform Aoki if given a chance.
If the Royals want to add some pop to the middle of the order, then I hope they pursue the likes of Zobrist, Byrd or Rios. Michael Cuddyer with the Colorado Rockies is another option that could be considered if the Rockies decide they’re out of it.
In any event, this is a golden opportunity for the Royals to win back some of the fans that have been jaded by their overly cheap and losing ways. You want to put more butts in the seats, Mr. Glass? Go get a slugger. Or, go get Jeff Samardzija. Or, here’s something crazy, turn the world upside down and go get both. Then, and only then, people (fans, opponents, media, etc.) will take you seriously.
Hopefully someone in the Royals front office understands that, if they build it, WE WILL COME.