It's no secret how poor the Kansas City Royals bullpen has been this season. That was only further evident by Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm's ninth-inning abomination in yesterday's crunch-time loss, loading the bases up three runs to nothing against the Twins and giving up a Grand Slam to end the game.
The number of blown saves and runs given up is too many to count and is a massive reason why the Royals have faltered to a 46-64 overall record and are 10 games out of the Wild Card race. There's little hope of a playoff birth happening now, 110 games into the season, but with the Aug. 3 trade deadline quickly approaching, nothing is standing in general manager J.J. Picollo's way to improve upon the roster for the 2027 season. Perhaps only himself.
Which is why Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock could be the perfect trade target for KC. Whitlock has already found himself in trade talks over the last few weeks, due to the Red Sox front office, for whatever reason, not committing to the right-hander long-term.
Kansas City needs to find answers fast to improve upon a struggling bullpen
Whitlock has spent most of his time in the big leagues with Boston ever since the 2021 season, when he appeared in 46 games. Over the past two years, Whitlock has posted nearly elite numbers.
We don’t tend to appreciate Garrett Whitlock enough, so just some quick notes on him:
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) July 24, 2026
0.52 ERA/2.24 FIP since he came off the IL on June 9th. He’s allowed only 1 ER over that stretch. Hasn’t walked a single batter. Wild.
1.58 ERA/1.97 FIP dating back to June 2025. 79.2 IP. pic.twitter.com/4CSL9UBhiq
He's pitched in over 100 games, 112 innings, has given up just 83 hits, 27 earned runs, and posted a WHIP of 1.009 along with 133 strikeouts and a 13-4 win-loss record. Numbers that far eclipse anything Kansas City's bullpen has been able to produce all year and would immediately provide the ballclub with someone they can trust.
At 6'5, 220 lbs, Whitlock is quite the presence on the mound and, having just turned 30, is smack dab in the middle of his pitching prime. The issue in acquiring a guy like Whitlock is the Red Sox are a smart organization and wouldn't give him up for nothing.
Picollo has already expressed his desire to keep starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, as well as building the team around its core of Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Jac Caglianone, among others.
Perhaps shipping off a guy like Alex Lange, who has performed well this season and is also only 30 years old, along with outfielder depth in the form of John Rave, might get the job done. But even so, Whitlock would want a new contract, one that is in line with his production.
Whether the Royals are willing to make a bold move like that to actually improve the roster remains to be seen. But the lack of movement on Picollo's front is not what you'd want to see, especially for a team that feels so close and yet is so far away.
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