Kansas City Royals: Two potential trades involving Whit Merrifield
By Cody Rickman
If the KC Royals roster is not ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2021, then now is the offseason to trade Whit Merrifield.
Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman, general manager Dayton Moore, the rest of the front office, and the scouting department face a difficult decision this offseason. Are the Royals ready to compete for a playoff position with the current roster (with some minor additions) in 2021?
In my opinion, the answer is no. There are too many variables with the current roster build to suggest the team is ready to take the next step into playoff contention. The Royals need consistent production and health from their veterans, continued rapid development of prospect talent, and players acquired in 2020 free-agent signings/trades to develop into full-time starters.
The Royals have the luxury to be patient with their prospect talent. They do not have the luxury of being patient with their veteran talent.
Whit Merrifield will be turning 32-years-old prior to the 2021 season. How much longer until he starts to decline after playing in 283 consecutive games? The projection data suggests age 32 and beyond are likely years of declining performance.
Coming into the 2021 season, the Royals have several of their key contributors entering their final years of contractual obligation to the Royals. Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy are entering the final years of their contracts. Jorge Soler and Maikel Franco are entering their final years of arbitration eligibility (can enter free agency after 2021 season).
The 2021 offseason is the right time to trade away Whit Merrifield.