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The Kansas City Royals are currently in last place in the American League Central, with a 29-49 record. On pace for their fifth straight losing season, Kansas City must accept their fate as sellers at this year's MLB trade deadline.
If their poor record wasn't enough of a reason to paint them as sellers, their top-10 farm system as ranked by MLB.com, which has produced two top-100 big leaguers this year in Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez, could do with a restocking.
Having a bevy of young prospects is always an advantage, especially for a team trying to break the cycle of losing like the Royals are. So, how can Kansas City do it?
They might have a poor record, but that doesn't mean the Royals don't have assets on their team. Kansas City must move these three players at the MLB trade deadline.
3 Players Royals Must Move Ahead Of 2022 MLB Trade Deadline
3. Scott Barlow
Scott Barlow has quietly been excellent for the Royals in 2022. Barlow, a 29-year-old closer, has pitched to a 2.45 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings to go along with 12 saves.
This strong performance comes just one year after he posted a career-best 2.42 ERA while saving 16 games for a 74-win Royals team. It's clear that he can pitch.
Plus, Barlow has two years of arbitration remaining before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025, making him a desirable relief pitcher for opposing teams.
It doesn't make much sense for a 29-win team to hang on tight to their closer, especially one that has been stuck in a rebuild for the last several seasons.
Not only would Barlow fetch a decent return based on performance alone, but he would also be a valuable target, given that he isn't just a rental arm who is going to walk next winter. Add in the fact that contending teams are seemingly always looking for relievers- and the Royals have plenty of reasons to deal their closer.
If looking to restock the farm system, the Royals should listen to calls on Barlow at the MLB trade deadline.
2. Whit Merrifield
Royals second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield has been one of the best players on this team for the last several years. 2021 was a typical Merrifield year, as the speedster hit for his usual blend of average while swiping 40 bases. 40 bases.
2022 hasn't been as kind to the 33-year-old, as he's on pace for a career-low .237 average. Despite not getting on-base as much, Merrifield has still managed to make his trips to the basepaths count for something, as he's scored 41 runs while stealing 14 bags this season.
The Royals restructured Merrifield's contract back in April, picking up his club option for the 2023 season while adding a mutual option the following season.
This means that he is likely under team control for this year and the next, making him an attractive trade candidate on the market. However, there's another reason why teams should want Merrifield.
He just so happens to do two things that are becoming rare in today's game. Batters are striking out more than ever before. Stolen bases are becoming a scarcity.
Merrifield, who has posted a miniscule 14.0 percent strikeout rate while stealing the aforementioned 14 bases, does both of those things equally well.
There are no other players like Merrifield potentially available at this year's MLB trade deadline. The Royals must recognize that and take advantage.
1. Andrew Benintendi
Everyone's favorite MLB trade deadline outfielder, Andrew Benintendi is no surprise at number one here. It's not hard to see why either. The 27-year-old has been Kansas City's most steady hitter, as he leads the team in both batting average and on-base percentage.
Benintendi owns a career .811 OPS against righties compared to .708 against lefties, so he's also the rare left-handed batter who is passable against both right-handers and southpaws.
He's also been a pretty good fielder in his career with a strong arm. Add it all up and there's plenty of reasons why teams would want Benintendi at the trade deadline.
There's a bigger reason why Benintendi will be a coveted asset come the August 2 trade deadline. He's enjoyed postseason success in his career, having won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox back in 2018.
In 87 career playoff plate appearances, Benintendi is batting .272 with two homers, five doubles, nine RBI and two stolen bases. That kind of experience is invaluable to teams looking to gain an extra edge at the trade deadline.
A free agent after this year, the Royals need to get something now for Benintendi before he is inevitably pried away by a team with a bigger wallet this winter.
