Kansas City Royals: Five more trade scenarios for 2019

The Arizona Diamondbacks are on the fringe of things. Just one game above .500 at 46-45, the Diamondbacks are a whopping 13.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West but only 1.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies for the second Wild Card.

If Arizona decides to continue fighting for a playoff spot, taking a flier on Homer Bailey might be worth it.

The Diamondbacks have a solid three starters in the rotation led by former Royal Zack Greinke. But with Luke Weaver, Taylor Clarke and Jon Duplantier on the Injured List, the back-end of the rotation needs a boost that Bailey should be able to provide.

Bailey’s respectable 4.47 FIP ranks higher than Clarke’s and Zack Godley’s, who’s made nine starts for Arizona, and just worse than Merrill Kelly’s, who has made 18 starts.

In return for Bailey, the Kansas City Royals get what essentially amounts to depth. A former 22nd-round draft pick, Kevin Ginkel is a 25-year-old right-handed relief pitcher currently in Double-A.

Ginkel’s had a fine 2019 season mostly between Double-A and Triple-A. In just under 28 innings over 23 games, he’s converted seven of eight save opportunities while striking out 45 batters, walking eight, and sporting a 1.95 ERA.

On the 20 to 80 scouting scale, Fangraphs rates his fastball at 60 while his slider and changeup both notch a 55. However, his command is only a 40, as is future value–which seems just about right for a couple of months of Homer Bailey.

Other Options:

• The Cleveland Indians could offer a similar prospect in right-handed pitcher 23-year-old James Karinchak, who’s pitching in Triple-A right now.
• If the Texas Rangers continue to compete but don’t want to go all-in on a costlier pitcher, they could target Bailey in exchange for 3B/INF Diosbel Arias, currently in Advanced-A ball.