Blockbuster Trade Proposal Lands Royals Rival All-Star Outfielder

The Royals are expected to be active in the weeks leading up to MLB's trade deadline next month. Their needs in the bullpen and outfield are obvious despite Kansas City's exciting start, and one potential target being floated is Chicago White Sox All-Star outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

His teammate, Tommy Pham, has been named as a possible target as well, though Robert Jr. would represent a swing with more upside. He's only 26 years old and blasted 38 home runs last year with 20 stolen bases, deservedly earning a reputation as one of the best young power bats in the sport.

Chicago wouldn't just give Robert Jr. away though. The trade Zachary Rhymer of Bleacher Report suggests is a blockbuster by any means, landing Robert Jr. in exchange for three of the Royals' top prospects.

Royals Acquire OF Luis Robert Jr. in Blockbuster Trade Proposal

Injuries have limited Robert to only 10 games so far this year but he's the reigning Silver Slugger for a reason. He'd instantly become the best power bat in Kansas City's lineup and Yoan Moncada has some pop as well. The latter hit 11 home runs and 20 doubles in 2023, so this trade would land the Royals a pair of solid bats.

It'd require mortgaging what's left of the farm system though. Cayden Wallace, Frank Mozzicato, and Blake Mitchell are the Royals' top three prospects aside from RHP Ben Kudrna. I'm hesitant to part with that trio but it's hard to ignore what Robert would bring to the table.

Rhymer writes, "Robert has done well at pitcher-friendly Kauffman Stadium. He has six homers there, his second-most at any venue after Guaranteed Rate Field. The problem here is that Kansas City's farm system just isn't great right now. That could be no biggie if the White Sox are fine with moving Robert in a salary dump like this one, but that's assuming they want payroll relief more than young talent."

Bobby Witt Jr. is a bonafide MVP candidate and one of the best offensive players in baseball, though even he needs some more help than what he's getting. If the Royals want to push their chips to the middle of the table and an offer like this is available, J.J. Picollo would at least have to consider it.

Opportunities to add an All-Star bat to the middle of your lineup don't come often. I'd hope Kansas City could make a move without trading away three top prospects, but it's an intriguing thought experiment nonetheless.

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