Next era for Kansas City Royals after MLB trade deadline starts with these players
If you want a glimpse into the Kansas City Royals’ future, look no further than legendary scientist Albert Einstein.
Einstein poetically offered this phrase: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
Even with a five-game winning streak at the moment, the Royals are a dismal 34-75 this season. Any thoughts of playoff contention have long evaporated. A winning season would be nearly impossible at this point.
Yet the Royals might be one of the most interesting teams in the major leagues. It’s not because they own that MLB-best five-game winning streak. For an aspiring big-leaguer, they offer something more tangible than silver or gold.
Playing time.
The Royals are rebuilding their roster. Core players in the team’s plans include Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, Nick Pratto, Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic and Brady Singer, among others.
There are veteran leaders in Salvador Perez and Zack Greinke, but the rest of the roster is in a state of flux.
Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline accelerated things. The Royals traded quality veterans, such as Scott Barlow and Ryan Yarbrough, for long-term prospects.
There is value in acquiring potential, and the Royals are searching high and low for it. It’s no secret their 2023 campaign is a “season of evaluation.” The Royals are giving out playing time to those who seek, and earn, it.
“No one is guaranteed to have any opportunity,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “For the guys that are getting them here, that’s what they are here to do. It’s to seize that moment.”
In recent weeks, several names have started to emerge.
Pitcher Cole Ragans, who was acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade, has looked good in two starts. He threw six shutout innings against the New York Mets on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals have given Ragans, alongside rookie Alec Marsh, a chance to be in the starting rotation.
Another player to watch is Royals reliever Carlos Hernandez. He is expected to step into the closer’s role in the wake of Barlow’s trade to San Diego. Hernandez throws a 100 mph fastball and is coveted as a high-leverage option in the bullpen.
Both Ragans and Hernandez are intriguing players. And they have a chance to secure premium slots on the KC pitching staff.
“I feel like every chance I get to throw, I try to prove they made a good move bringing me here,” Ragans said. “I’m excited for the opportunity. Every time I step out there, I will give it everything I have.”
The Royals also know what they have in Witt and Garcia. They should lock down the left side of the infield for several years.
But the Royals’ activity at the trade deadline opens up opportunities for younger players like Dairon Blanco and Samad Taylor. Taylor offers versatility. He can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield. Blanco brings elite speed and has the tools to develop into a strong defender.
Taylor has a chance to fill Lopez’s vacated role as a utility player. He will rotate alongside veterans Matt Duffy and Matt Beaty.
“I feel like it’s real easy to change the type of person you are,” Taylor said. “Getting sent down (to Triple-A Omaha) is not a good feeling and nobody wants that to happen. … Anytime I can just work on my craft and do what I can to put the team in a winning category, I can’t complain.”
Taylor excelled against the New York Mets Tuesday. He went 2 for 3 and nearly hit his first MLB home run. He also stole two bases in the Royals 7-6 victory.
He has proven his ability to elevate his game in clutch situations. In his MLB debut, Taylor hit a walk-off single as the Royals defeated the L.A. Angels. He has hit .273 in his last seven games.
“He’s got sneaky pop, as we saw in spring training,” Quatraro said. “I’m happy for him as every time he goes down to Triple-A, he really puts up big numbers. Here, he has played sporadically. For him to get in there and contribute is nice.”
The Royals also have seats available in the bullpen. A mix of players is vying for high-usage roles. The group includes Angel Zerpa, Dylan Coleman, Jonathan Heasley, Austin Cox and newly acquired Tucker Davidson.
Quatraro plans to mix and match his bullpen arms. Guys will be put in different roles to see how they handle key situations.
“I’m going to be kind of a one-inning or multi-inning guy,” Davidson said. “Kind of like a Swiss army knife. … Just go out there and get some innings and help the team win.”
Entering Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Mets, the Royals have 53 games left this season. Chief on the agenda is determining who will stick around for the long haul. General manager J.J. Picollo acknowledge the team was open to “big” potential deals at the trade deadline.
That stance is not likely to change this offseason. The Royals need talent and will look both inside and outside of the organization to find it.
“We were open-minded to some names that would hurt to trade,” Picollo said Tuesday. “We let teams know that’s something we would do.”
The Royals believe they are priming themselves to be successful again. The opportunity is there for players who are prepared to reach out and seize it.
As goes another old saying, success is where preparation meets opportunity.
This story was originally published August 3, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
