Royals Rumors: Jake Diekman likely trade candidate at 2019 deadline

The Royals rumors are going to be flying like crazy next month and the Royal most likely to be wearing a different uniform by season’s end is relief pitcher Jake Diekman.

Even after a shaky outing against the Red Sox on Wednesday, Jake Diekman is the most likely member of the Kansas City Royals to be traded at this year’s deadline. Before that outing (in which he surrendered three runs in just one inning of work), Diekman was posting a 3.33 ERA.

Diekman now sports a 4.26 ERA, but should easily be able to bring that down to a respectable number by the time hug watch season approaches.

The reason for Diekman being the likeliest trade candidate is simple. For one, he’s the best reliever in the Royals bullpen. That right there is enough to get you shipped off to a contending team.

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Speaking of contending teams, they like good relievers! Back when the Royals won the World Series in 2015, their bullpen played a huge role in why that title was won by the boys in blue. Solid relievers in October are arguably the most important part of a team and Diekman can provide a nice set-up man for a team who might be struggling to get to the final inning with a lead.

Another easy reason to trade Diekman is that he’s only signed on a one-year deal. He’d be a rental piece for whatever team were to acquire him and those are the easiest players to ship elsewhere. No harm, no foul for either side really.

While the Royals probably wouldn’t get a ton in return for Diekman, any prospects at this point would suffice. This team hasn’t improved on their putrid 2018 campaign, so clearly there’s a lot more work needing to be done. Prospects can help this team with their rebuild and a Diekman trade probably brings in one or two guys who can help the Royals win in the coming years.

The question to ask now is what teams might be interested in adding Diekman?

Well, right now the bottom five bullpens are Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Miami, and Seattle. Only Pittsburgh and Washington are contenders out of that bunch and they’re both sitting several games below .500 at the moment.

The Brewers, Dodgers, and Twins are all ranked in the lower half when it comes to bullpen ERAs, so those are teams to keep an eye on. It’s doubtful the Royals would trade within the division, but if Minnesota wanted Diekman bad enough, it could probably happen.

The Royals have made it known that “nearly anybody” is available via trade this July, but Jake Diekman would have been dealt even without that statement being uttered. He’s been the best guy out of the pen and teams covet that, especially in the later months of the season.

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Enjoy watching Jake Diekman now Royals fans because by the end of the summer, he’ll be pitching out of another squad’s bullpen.

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