Royals Rumors: Realistic Trade Targets For KC Royals
By Paul York
Seattle Mariners left fielder Seth Smith (7) – Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Possible Outfield Targets for the KC Royals
I’m not sure there’s a more perfect fit on the trading market than Gerardo Parra would be for the Royals. An athletic outfielder that plays good defense, bats left-handed and can hit for average with a little bit of pop. He can also swipe an occasional base. He’s the odd man out in Milwaukee, as he’s not even a starter when Khris Davis, Carlos Gomez and Ryan Braun are healthy.
Parra is under contract for the remainder of 2015 only. His stock, unfortunately for the Royals, is at its peak. He took advantage of his playing time with the Brewers while Davis was injured, and has been scorching the baseball.
As a big Jay Bruce fan, it pains me to have to list Marlon Byrd instead. Byrd is more like the type of player the Royals will trade for, while Bruce is a guy we’d all like to see the Royals trade for.
Byrd isn’t hitting much these days, but he still plays solid defense, and can hit the ball out of the park. He’s got 14 home runs this season, and while I was quick to question those power numbers because of the small park he plays in, his home runs are split in half as seven have come on the road.
The Royals have been linked to him in the past, and he’s an especially interesting piece to them because he’s only under contract for this season, and the Phillies are picking up half the tab on that contract.
If you’re looking to replicate the numbers Alex Gordon would likely put up, here’s your guy. Unfortunately, Seth Smith would be nowhere close to matching Gordon’s defensive prowess.
Smith hits for a decent average, solid OBP, and has decent pop. He’d be more than a rental, as he’s under contract for the 2016 season. Perhaps that would make him more appealing to the Royals in case Gordon elects not to exercise the 2016 option in his contract and becomes a free agent. Smith’s salary at $6.5 million would likely be less than half of what Gordon will command.
Next: Dark Horse Outfield Targets