Barring a complete collapse over the next few weeks, the Kansas City Royals are expected to buy at next month’s trade deadline. While it’s still too early for teams to cement their plans, it seems that the Royals have begun mapping out potential trades. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Royals have shown interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham.
MLB Insider Links Kansas City Royals To Slugger
Additionally, general manager J.J. Picollo told Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville on The Windup podcast that the team will look to add bullpen help and acquire a bat that can play in both the infield and outfield. Picollo said he wants to deepen the bullpen with reliable arms that feature power stuff and strikeout ability.
“We’re more of a matchup bullpen without necessarily the big power,” Picollo said. “Now, we do have a couple guys we think might fit the bill internally but haven’t done it quite yet.”
He also mentioned how the offense will be led by a few constants and that another bat to support that core and lengthen the lineup would go a long way. Though Pham does not play in the infield, he definitely represents a solid complimentary bat that would lengthen a Royals lineup without needing to carry it.
Report: Kanas City Royals Interested In Potential Trade For Tommy Pham
Kansas City outfielders have the worst offensive production in the entire league this season. The unit has hit a collective .210/.270/.349 (72 wRC+) and produced a -0.6 fWAR. Defensively, the Royals have received a mixed bag. The outfielders rank in the bottom 10 in the league with -3 Outs Above Average, but in the top half with 4 Defensive Runs Saved.
A trade for Pham would surely represent an upgrade for the Royals. While metrics don’t love his defense this season (-6 DRS, -1 OAA), his offense will provide a boost that the team needs. In 40 games, the 36-year-old has hit .282/.353/.410 (110 wRC+) with solid strikeout and walk rates. If traded to the Royals, Pham would bring quality professional at-bats that should rub off on the young core.
Tommy Pham put it on the board! pic.twitter.com/ygwKzb81wh
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 21, 2024
Additionally, Kansas City can negate his defensive limitations by replacing him late in games. Specifically, Kyle Isbel has struggled to hit throughout his career but is a great defender. Postseason teams, like the Royals strive to be, tend to find value in these glove-first players by using them properly.
Additionally, Kansas City has also received below average production from DH. The team likely wants to keep that spot slightly open to avoid overusing Salvador Perez at catcher while keeping his bat in the lineup. Pham would fit this dynamic perfectly since he’s not a permanent DH, but provides his value with mostly his bat.
Royals Bullpen
This season, Royals relievers rank 23rd in the league with a 0.3 fWAR and last with a 17.7 percent strikeout rate. The relievers also rank in the bottom five with an average fastball velocity under 94 mph. Picollo is right that the unit needs more firepower and strikeout ability, especially if it expects to make a run in the playoffs.
The bullpen features a group of predominately veterans that project best as mid-to-low leverage arms. Among the pitchers with enough innings to qualify, 33-year-old Chris Stratton leads the unit with a below-league average 22 percent strikeout rate (paired with a bad 14.4 percent walk rate).
Michael Kopech, Shoving. pic.twitter.com/JG0iKLZdty
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 9, 2024
There should be a plethora of hard throwing relievers the Royals can target next month. They haven’t been linked to any name just yet, but speculatively speaking, packaging Pham with flamethrower Michael Kopech could be a game changer that catapults the Royals into the postseason.
The White Sox seem very open to moving the righty and the Royals have the prospects to acquire him. Since around half of the league will look to improve their pitching, especially bullpen, at the deadline, the market will be extremely competitive.
Kansas City possesses a decent farm system, but it remains to be seen where on the “all-in” scale the Picollo will be this summer.
Main Photo Credits: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
