Kansas City Royals: Two potential trades involving Whit Merrifield

Part 1: Whit Merrifield, Outfield/Second Base

Whit Merrifield has been the most consistent hitter in the Royals lineup for the last three seasons. Merrifield has two years left on his very team friendly contract and has a reasonable $6.5 million team option for third year. Merrifield is talked about every offseason as a trade piece for several organizations in search of a consistent player to turn their team into a championship contender.

Merrifield can provide exceptional positional versatility at least average defensive ability at just about every position around the infield and outfield. He has a proven track record of consistent health and offensive ability, twice leading the AL in hits.

Merrifield has the highest trade value of any current Royal on the MLB roster. The Royals are at least two to three years from competing for playoff spot, so now is the time to capitalize on Merrifield’s trade value.

I wrote about this trade proposal with the Angels last October.

• Brandon Marsh, OF – 23 years old for 2021 season
• Jeremiah Jackson, SS/2B – 21 years old for 2021 season
• Jahmai Jones, 2B/OF – 23 years old for 2021 season

Brandon Marsh is a fantastic athlete who has three plus tools with his run, arm, and fielding. He is athletic enough to provide plus defense in centerfield. His hit tool is above-average and his power tool is slightly above average.

The hit tool projects Marsh to a .270 batting average with a .350 OBP. There is enough power to project for 15-18 homeruns per year. On the base-paths, he should be in the 15-20 stolen base per year range. Marsh would be an above-average, every day starter in centerfielder for the Royals with an ETA of 2021. He is ready for to make an MLB debut.

Jeremiah Jackson is a lottery ticket prospect who hit 23 homeruns in 65 games in Rookie ball. He was able to show exceptional exit velocity numbers during his batting practice sessions and sharpen his approach to drop his strikeout rate later in the 2019 season. Jackson’s swing may be geared to generate as much power as possible as such his hit tool is merely average as a result.

Jackson’s power tool is above average the same with his arm and run tool. His fielding is at least above-average, where he can stay at shortstop. Jackson is a lottery ticket if he continues to develop his hit tool and continue to access his power and exit velocity regularly. There is the potential here for something special offensively with enough defense ability to stick at a premium defensive position. ETA 2022/2023.

Jahmai Jones is another excellent athlete who has a good approach at the plate leading to solid OBP numbers and exit velocity numbers. Jones is a plus runner, with above average hit, arm, and fielding tools. He has an average power tool, but his consistent approach allows him to tap into his power more routinely.

Jones could generate .260 batting average, .320 OBP, with 11-14 homeruns, and 20-25 stolen bases. Jones made his MLB debut in 2020 for the Angels, he projects to be an everyday average MLB regular.