Royals Rumors: Realistic Trade Targets For KC Royals
By Paul York
Oakland Athletics infielder Ben Zobrist (18) – Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Second Basemen the KC Royals Might Consider
Ben Zobrist is one of the more frequently talked about trade targets throughout MLB. That’s because virtually every team in baseball could use a versatile guy like Zobrist.
The Royals especially could use him in a multitude of ways–second base and outfield, but having to compete with everyone else for his services makes KC an unlikely landing spot for Zobrist as the price will be high in terms of prospects.
Zobrist’s contract does expire at the end of the 2015 season, which is something to keep in mind.
Brandon Phillips is a pretty unlikely target for the Royals only because they have so much money tied up in Omar Infante. Should they choose to overlook that, Phillips would be a great candidate.
Unlike most everyone else previously mentioned, he’d be more than a rental as his contract doesn’t expire until 2018, which would leave any team that acquires him on the hook for $27 million over the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The Reds are in a situation where they need to gain some financial flexibility, so Phillips might not be too expensive in terms of prospects.
Next: Other Possible Second Basemen