Four Kansas City Royals who should not be traded at deadline

3. Scott Barlow

Scott Barlow hasn’t been mentioned a ton when it comes to the trade deadline, which is surprising. The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher has a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings pitched this season while striking out 22 batters and even recording a save.

Barlow turns 28 this offseason and in the grand scheme of things, probably isn’t going to be a part of the Royals’ long-term rebuild. He’s under contract through 2025 though and the Royals’ best chance at making the postseason this year will rely heavily on him being a key member in the backend of the bullpen.

It’s surprising that Barlow hasn’t gotten more hype in free agency, but that’s fine because the Royals should hang onto him for the rest of 2020.

2. Josh Staumont

Much like Barlow, if the Royals want to have any shot at getting into the playoffs this year, the backend of their bullpen needs to be left alone and no one has been a bigger star out of the pen than Josh Staumont.

Staumont has been sensational this year and has definitely garnered attention. Royals fans have seemed okay with the idea of trading Staumont, but personally, I’d rather the team hang onto him. He’s under contract through 2025 and has shown just how good he can be, proven by his 0.71 ERA.

Of course teams want to trade for Staumont. He’s affordable, efficient, and a rising star. That’s precisely why the Royals should hang onto him, as he’s exactly what they need for their next wave of contention.