Kansas City Royals: Trading Salvador Perez makes sense

By Leigh Oleszczak | Jul 6, 2018

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 30: Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after a sacrifice fly out by Mike Zunino #3 to score Ben Gamel #16 of the Seattle Mariners in the second inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-3 lead during their game at Safeco Field on June 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Through the ups and downs of the Kansas City Royals the last few years, the one constant has been catcher Salvador Perez. So why then, does it make sense to trade the Royals star?

It’s officially past the Fourth of July festivities and the Kansas City Royals have won just 25 games. It’s been an atrocious season for the Royals, even worse than expected, and that means everyone should be on the trade block. Yes, even fan favorite Salvador Perez should be on the trade table.

It’s difficult to even think about Perez donning a uniform other than a Royals one, but now is the best time to trade him. Perez is batting a mere .214 this season with 11 home runs and 33 RBI, which might not scream trade asset, but his defense and ability to become a clutch hitter is what makes him valuable.

As mentioned, Perez is still amazing defensively. His defense is one of the few bright spots for the Royals this season actually. Teams covet strong defensive players, especially in a playoff push.

More from Kansas City Royals

Perez is also controllable through the year 2021, which is another reason why teams might find him enticing. The former World Series MVP is someone who could easily step in and help a team contending for the postseason. Whatever team were to acquire him could have him for the next three seasons too, which is a big thing to keep in mind.

His bat might not be all that hot right now, but Perez, like most major league hitters, goes through slumps at the plate. That’s not uncommon by any means, but it might hurt the value of the prospects received in return if Perez continues to struggle offensively over the next few weeks.

The pushback on trading Salvador Perez would be rough and it’d be yet another star player going elsewhere. Perez is the team’s most popular player (and for good reason), but is that a reason to keep him around?

The All-Star catcher is 28 years old and by the time the Royals are maybe contending again, he’ll be well into his 30s. Athletes get old fast and catchers take a toll more than maybe any other position in baseball. Hell, there’s even a chance the Royals eventually move Perez to another position or to being a full-time DH with the toll his body has taken as the catcher.

It’s doubtful that the Kansas City Royals will trade Salvador Perez, but one would think Dayton Moore would be open to listening to offers. The Royals shouldn’t ship off their All-Star catcher for scraps, but if they could get a BIG package of prospects and that contract off the books, then trading Salvy wouldn’t be the worst idea.

Sorry Royals fans, but it’s true.

Home/Kansas City Royals