The Kansas City Royals, who have struggled with power from their outfield throughout the season, have only a few hours left to make some changes.
Royals outfielders have accumulated a dismal -2.6 fWAR this year, the worst in the league, and have hit the fewest home runs, with just 20 total. They did acquire Randal Grichuk, who is strong against left-handed pitching, but there’s still room for another significant bat in the lineup.
However, finding an All-Star caliber player at the trade deadline isn’t easy, especially with the Royals’ farm system not in the strongest position. Could they target a former All-Star who’s having a down year?
Like the Royals, the Texas Rangers are pushing for a playoff spot and might be looking to shed some salary through trades in order to make room for new additions.
“Garcia his 39 home runs and was an All-Star in 2023, but has struggled as a below-average hitter since then,” wrote Rieper.
“He’s hitting just .227/.273/.389 with 14 home runs and 10 steals, but is still a 2.5 rWAR player due to his terrific defense. The 32-year-old is eligible for free agency after the 2026 season, but his primary position is right field, a spot that the Royals envision for Jac Caglianone.”
With Caglianone currently sidelined, the Royals have the option to move García into right field temporarily and adjust the lineup once everyone is healthy again. For now, their main focus is on getting quality at-bats.
Taking on the remainder of García’s arbitration salary might seem like a stretch, but it’s not entirely out of the question. Given that they just added Seth Lugo, it’s clear the Royals are open to taking on payroll if they believe it’s a move that improves the team’s chances.
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