Kansas City Royals: Offseason trade targets from NL West
By Cody Rickman
The Kansas City Royals are in the position to explore the offseason trade market to address roster needs. In this five-part series, I explore possible trades with teams in the AL East, AL West, NL East, NL Central, and NL West.
Once the 2019 MLB playoffs are officially over, the Kansas City Royals will embark upon one of their busiest offseasons in recent memory. Since trades rarely happen within the same division, I will omit any possible trades with the AL Central in these series of posts.
Here are several links highlighting several offseason changes and moves the team should make:
Upcoming big changes in organization
Prospects ready for 2020 action
NL West Trade Targets
Los Angeles Dodgers
Jordan Sheffield, RHP Pitcher
Jordan Sheffield, the 24-year-old reliever, split time between A+ and AA ball in 2019 producing a 3.27 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, and 74 Ks in 55.0 innings pitched. Sheffield struggled early on in his minor league career, but looked to harnessed his plus stuff in the Arizona Fall League in 2018 ending with a stellar line of 1.93 ERA, 1.071 WHIP, and 7 Ks in 9.1 innings of work.
For his minor league career, Sheffield has thrown 211.1 innings with 240 Ks vs 128 BBs. He struggled to harness is raw stuff as a starter, but has been much more effective coming out of the bullpen after making the switch full-time.
The Dodgers are another MLB team loaded with talent and burning questions about who to retain on the 40-man roster for 2020, the Dodgers may leave Sheffield available for the Rule 5 draft.
Sheffield has struggled to find the plate in 2019. He brings a high 90s fastball in the mix with an exceptional breaking ball, an above average cutter, and average change-up. He generates lots of strikeouts, but has had trouble with high walk rates in the minors.
Sheffield would still need some seasoning in the minors to release his potential as late-innings reliever.
Possible trade offer: Cash Considerations