Evaluating what the Royals can offer in a trade

Gotta give up talent to get talent.

Tuesday’s trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Royals will likely be buyers for the first time in several seasons. The team has a low-ranked farm system, according to several evaluators. Will they have enough to offer other teams to receive players that can make a difference? They have shown creativity trading a 2024 draft pick with prospect Cayden Wallace to the Nationals for reliever Hunter Harvey. What other assets could they offer?

Centerpiece of a trade for a starter with 1+ year of control remaining

Blake Mitchell

The Royals only have one player that could be considered close to a Top 100 prospect and the centerpiece for an impact player that is not a rental. Mitchell, their first-round pick from a year ago, has flourished in Low-A ball at a young age as a catcher. Jac Caglianone would also fit this bill, but he is ineligible to be traded until after the World Series (he cannot be the “player to be named later” either). The Royals are very unlikely to trade either but if they entertained the thought of acquiring a Luis Robert Jr., Isaac Paredes, or Mason Miller, it would probably mean moving one of both of these prospects.

Interesting pieces for a non-elite player

Gavin Cross, Carter Jensen, Ben Kudrna, Frank Mozzicato, Ramon Ramirez, Blake Wolters

I had Cayden Wallace in this category too until he was traded. I think Jensen is at the higher end of this spectrum and could be pretty valuable. The Royals obviously have a position of depth at catcher - Ramirez could be enticing to teams as well. One of these players could be the centerpiece of a trade for a non-rental player like Lane Thomas, Luis Rengifo, or Taylor Ward.

Secondary pieces

Mason Barnett, Austin Charles, Hyungchan Um, Javier Vaz, Stephen Zobac

These players could be the centerpiece of a trade for a good rental player - Carlos Estevez, Tanner Scott or maybe even a Michael Kopech, who is signed through 2025. Or you could take two players from the previous tier, package them with a player in this tier, and make a run at a Jazz Chisholm or possibly Jonathan India, although those teams may be asking for more than those players are really worth. Barnett, Vaz, and Zobac are more high-floor, low ceiling guys, while Charles and Um have a lot more upside.

Interesting lottery tickets

Asbel Gonzalez, Yandel Ricardo, Jhonayker Ugarte, Hiro Wyatt

These players would be complimentary throw-ins to even out a deal. They are very young, and quite talented, but a long way from even thinking about the big leagues.

Older throw-ins

Noah Cameron, Christian Chamberlain, Nate Eaton, Tyler Gentry, Will Klein, John McMillon, Walter Pennington, John Rave, Steven Cruz

If the Royals were to acquire an old rental player - Tommy Pham or Mark Canha, for example, they could combine a lottery ticket with one of these guys as an MLB-ready player, similar to how the Royals received Devin Mann with Derlin Figueroa for Ryan Yarbrough last year. These players are too old to have much upside left, but could still be useful, particularly the relievers.

MLB experience but marginal value

Carlos Hernández, Nick Loftin, Daniel Lynch IV, Nick Pratto, Nelson Velázquez, Drew Waters

Many of these players are performing well in Triple-A, but have failed to take advantage of opportunities at the big league level. The bloom is off the rose, as it were, and if these players can’t break into the lineup of a team that needs length in the lineup and arms in the bullpen, well you have to wonder how valuable they really are. That’s not to say these players couldn’t help someone at the big league level, and never underestimate a team’s confidence in fixing a talented player with poor numbers. Lynch could be a guy teams see as fixable, but the Royals may be reluctant to part with starting pitching depth. I just wouldn’t count on any of these players being the centerpiece of a significant trade.

Not likely getting traded

Alec Marsh, MJ Melendez

Teams that are in contention don’t typically trade pieces off the big league roster - they’re trying to win! But it does happen from time to time. I wouldn’t totally discount the possibility Melendez is traded, but his value isn’t exactly at its peak either. The team seems to have confidence his numbers will turn around - and they were improving until he got hurt. The Royals aren’t going to trade Marsh unless its for a significant upgrade. The starting pitching has been great, but its not deep, and the Royals will likely need to hang onto him, even with his struggles. If you’re hoping the Royals can find a team to take on underperforming relievers in the pen like Will Smith, John Schreiber, or Chris Stratton, I wouldn’t count on that either.