Kansas City Royals: Newcomers Keep Royals in Contention

NATE KARNS

Fans were mostly upset about this trade because let’s be real here… Jarrod Dyson might be the most popular Royal ever. His “That’s what speed do” motto always fired up the fans and you could tell that Dyson just loved playing in Kansas City.

With that said, however, this was a solid trade for Moore and the KC Royals. They essentially traded a fourth outfielder for a potential starting pitcher in the rotation.

Dyson has hit his ceiling. Karns hasn’t yet, and that’s why the Royals will eventually have gotten the better end of the deal in this trade.

Not only that, but Nate Karns is 29 years old and has the ability to be a great middle of the rotation option if he can keep his command in check.

Looking at Karns’ stats might concern some people, but he has good strikeout numbers. He just needs to walk guys less and he’s someone that the Royals could depend on in the rotation for the next several years.

The concern with Karns is that he has yet to really have a great season. In 15 starts and 29 games last season, Karns had an ERA over 5.00. He threw less than 100 innings, but he did strike out 101 batters.

At this current moment, the Mariners got the better deal because Dyson is a proven player. On the contrary though, Dyson has hit his ceiling. Karns hasn’t yet, and that’s why the Royals will eventually have gotten the better end of the deal in this trade.

Any time you can get a potential starter for the rotation is a good thing and Dayton Moore made it happen by trading for Nate Karns.