Royals Listed as Potential Trade Destination for Division Rival’s $50M Outfielder
Is it time for the Royals to make a desperate move before the trade deadline?
The Kansas City Royals find themselves stuck in limbo. Coming into the season, the team had hopes of making back-to-back playoff appearances. But after struggling with one of the league’s worst offenses, they now sit at 39-46, just outside of Wild Card contention.
With the trade deadline approaching, rumors suggest the Royals might become sellers. However, if they decide to remain competitive, they could also look for potential acquisitions to bolster their roster.
One major area of need is the outfield, where the Royals rank last in outfield fWAR at -1.8, with the next worst team sitting at -0.2.
On Monday, CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson identified Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. as a potential trade target for the Royals.
“Robert Jr. was a clear trade candidate entering last season, but his offensive numbers have taken a serious hit, largely due to an increased strikeout rate and an odd tendency this season to get under the ball too much, resulting in a high number of pop-ups,” Anderson wrote.
“Still, Robert can make an impact defensively and on the basepaths, and a team might take a chance, hoping they can help him return to form offensively. The White Sox may have to cover some of his salary, something that seemed unlikely a year ago. Possible landing spots include the Phillies, Braves, and Royals.”
Robert’s career has been a rollercoaster. After a 38-homer, Silver Slugger season in 2023, he has struggled mightily at the plate this season. However, he continues to steal bases and play solid defense in center field, accumulating 0.3 fWAR so far.
If Robert’s power returns, he could be a surprising late-season boost for a contender. He’s in the final year of his $50 million extension, and the White Sox may be willing to cover some of his $15 million salary in exchange for a prospect.
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