Who Goes and Who Stays?
With the trade deadline less than a week away, the trade rumors around Royals' players are increasing steadily. The Royals have several players that are drawing interest by contenders. Here's a look at who goes and who stays and what the Royals should get in return if they trade them:
What the Royals need: Not a corner outfielder. The corner outfield spot is pretty deep with Costa, Ambres, and Maier likely to compete for spots next year and Butler, Gordon (if signed and moved), and Lubanski likely to compete for spots in 2007. The Royals' biggest needs is quality starting pitching. With Hernandez being the only returning starter with a history of being league-average or better, the Royals need help here. Greinke, Bautista, and Sisco (if moved) have a lot of potential as starters, but have a lot of questionmarks as well. The Royals' farm system is nearly void of quality starting pitching prospects. Luis Cota is the only prospect who has frontline starter stuff. The Royals need to add high ceiling and top prospects, not seek a package of two or three for depth. The Royals have pretty good depth everywhere except the rotation. But, they need to add star-caliber talent wherever possible, preferably in the rotation.
Jeremy Affeldt: Affeldt has probably drawn the most interest of any Royals' player. Affeldt has been great since coming off the DL and has a 2.29 ERA this season. The lefty has a mid-90s fastball, a great curve, and an affordable $950K salary. Since MacDougal has won the closer's job for now, Affeldt has become the more expendable of the two. Affeldt is the Royals' most valuable commidity next to Sweeney, so he should bring a top prospect in return. The Royals should set the price high and ask for a top prospect. If the Royals refuse to get a top SP prospect, I'd aim for top outfield prospects, Felix Pie or Jeremy Hermida. The only reason to trade for outfield prospects is to get a significant upgrade at the corner outfield spot. From the Yankees, I like 19-year-old Phillip Hughes, but the Yankees might not give him up. The Royals don't have to trade Affeldt and shouldn't unless they get a top prospect.
Hughes Stats:
7-1, 1.97 ERA, 46 H, 72/16 K/BB in 68 2/3 IP for low Single-A Charleston
Possible suitors: Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Marlins, Braves, and likely many more
My prediction: Affeldt to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera and Sean Henn (Baird was reportedly scouting those players on the Yankees)
My hopeful prediction: Affeldt and Long for Phillip Hughes
Mike MacDougal: Basically, see Jeremy Affeldt. The same teams looking for a cheap, power arm in the bullpen will be interested in MacDougal. I'd much rather trade Affeldt because MacDougal has done very well as the closer this year. The Royals have a tough time finding a closer after Montgomery retired and I don't want to risk Burgos or Sisco being given the job prematurely.
My prediction: He stays
Terrence Long: Long has decent trade value for a team needing bench and outfield help. He hit .363/.388/.550 in June and .322/.365/.407 in July so far. Long needs to go or have a reduced role on the team. Ambres needs to play regularly to see if he can be an everyday player. Ambres looks like he'll add some much needed speed and can get on-base.
My prediction: He goes, thrown in with Affeldt or traded seperately
Jose Lima: Lima has pitched very well recently, pitching 5 consecutive quality starts. The Royals lack of starting pitching depth will keep the Royals from dealing Lima unless they get a great deal. One month ago, it looked like he'd be released, but with setbacks to Bautista and Anderson, we're stuck with him for better or worse.
My prediction: He stays
Mike Sweeney: Sweeney is always mentioned in rumors around the trade deadline. But, the Royals aren't looking to move Sweeney and are looking to add a bat. The Royals will probably listen to offers for Sweeney, but unless they get a great deal, he stays. The fan reaction to trading Sweeney could be devasting.
My prediction: He stays
David DeJesus/Emil Brown: The Yankees are also interested in the Royals' two best outfielders. It seems unlikely that the Royals would move these two players, but if they got a great offer, it's certainly possible. Baird said he'd listen to offers on any player.
My prediction: They stay
What the Royals need: Not a corner outfielder. The corner outfield spot is pretty deep with Costa, Ambres, and Maier likely to compete for spots next year and Butler, Gordon (if signed and moved), and Lubanski likely to compete for spots in 2007. The Royals' biggest needs is quality starting pitching. With Hernandez being the only returning starter with a history of being league-average or better, the Royals need help here. Greinke, Bautista, and Sisco (if moved) have a lot of potential as starters, but have a lot of questionmarks as well. The Royals' farm system is nearly void of quality starting pitching prospects. Luis Cota is the only prospect who has frontline starter stuff. The Royals need to add high ceiling and top prospects, not seek a package of two or three for depth. The Royals have pretty good depth everywhere except the rotation. But, they need to add star-caliber talent wherever possible, preferably in the rotation.
Jeremy Affeldt: Affeldt has probably drawn the most interest of any Royals' player. Affeldt has been great since coming off the DL and has a 2.29 ERA this season. The lefty has a mid-90s fastball, a great curve, and an affordable $950K salary. Since MacDougal has won the closer's job for now, Affeldt has become the more expendable of the two. Affeldt is the Royals' most valuable commidity next to Sweeney, so he should bring a top prospect in return. The Royals should set the price high and ask for a top prospect. If the Royals refuse to get a top SP prospect, I'd aim for top outfield prospects, Felix Pie or Jeremy Hermida. The only reason to trade for outfield prospects is to get a significant upgrade at the corner outfield spot. From the Yankees, I like 19-year-old Phillip Hughes, but the Yankees might not give him up. The Royals don't have to trade Affeldt and shouldn't unless they get a top prospect.
Hughes Stats:
7-1, 1.97 ERA, 46 H, 72/16 K/BB in 68 2/3 IP for low Single-A Charleston
Possible suitors: Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Marlins, Braves, and likely many more
My prediction: Affeldt to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera and Sean Henn (Baird was reportedly scouting those players on the Yankees)
My hopeful prediction: Affeldt and Long for Phillip Hughes
Mike MacDougal: Basically, see Jeremy Affeldt. The same teams looking for a cheap, power arm in the bullpen will be interested in MacDougal. I'd much rather trade Affeldt because MacDougal has done very well as the closer this year. The Royals have a tough time finding a closer after Montgomery retired and I don't want to risk Burgos or Sisco being given the job prematurely.
My prediction: He stays
Terrence Long: Long has decent trade value for a team needing bench and outfield help. He hit .363/.388/.550 in June and .322/.365/.407 in July so far. Long needs to go or have a reduced role on the team. Ambres needs to play regularly to see if he can be an everyday player. Ambres looks like he'll add some much needed speed and can get on-base.
My prediction: He goes, thrown in with Affeldt or traded seperately
Jose Lima: Lima has pitched very well recently, pitching 5 consecutive quality starts. The Royals lack of starting pitching depth will keep the Royals from dealing Lima unless they get a great deal. One month ago, it looked like he'd be released, but with setbacks to Bautista and Anderson, we're stuck with him for better or worse.
My prediction: He stays
Mike Sweeney: Sweeney is always mentioned in rumors around the trade deadline. But, the Royals aren't looking to move Sweeney and are looking to add a bat. The Royals will probably listen to offers for Sweeney, but unless they get a great deal, he stays. The fan reaction to trading Sweeney could be devasting.
My prediction: He stays
David DeJesus/Emil Brown: The Yankees are also interested in the Royals' two best outfielders. It seems unlikely that the Royals would move these two players, but if they got a great offer, it's certainly possible. Baird said he'd listen to offers on any player.
My prediction: They stay
posted by SoonerRoyal at 8:19 PM
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