Could the Royals be in the trade market for a third baseman?
Michael Massey’s injury may create a new hole.
Michael Massey has been limited largely to DH duties since returning from the Injured List with a back injury. The team has concerns that playing defense in the field could reaggravate his injury, and he has played just two games at second base since returning June 24.
Meanwhile, Maikel Garcia has started 11 of the last 13 games at second base, with CJ Alexander (since demoted) and Nick Loftin filling in at third. Manager Matt Quatraro has explained that they plan to keep Garcia at second to avoid shuttling players around on the field, telling reporters back in June that the team wanted to “give some guys some stability and some comfort and put what we consider a really strong infield out there.”
With Loftin’s bat yet to really develop, that could mean the Royals are in the market for a third baseman at the trade deadline. Traditionally a power position, it could be easier to find an offense-minded player at the hot corner than at second base. What third baseman could become available?
Jake Burger, Marlins
A St. Louis native and former Missouri State slugger, Burger erupted last year for 34 home runs and became an attractive trade piece for the Marlins, who acquired him at the trade deadline. But he has regressed this year to hit just .217/.260/.356 with 9 home runs in 69 games, and with a front office change in Miami, he could be on the way out. The 28-year-old could represent a long-term answer, as he is not eligible for free agency until after 2028. He is a poor defender at third, and has actually spent a lot of time at first base this season. Despite his flaws, he could be a nice buy-low candidate who could be part of the future.
Matt Chapman, Giants
Chapman found a soft market for his services last winter as he came off the lowest home run total in a full season of his career. The power has rebounded a bit with o12 home runs in 89 games, but he’s not the slugger he was when he smacked 36 home runs for the A’s in 2019. He is still an above-average hitter at .241/.324/.418, although he still strikes out a ton. Chapman won his fourth Gold Glove last year, and leads all third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved. He is making $18 million this year with a $17 million player option for next year, so most likely he’s a rental, but he could be a solid power bat this year with terrific defense.
Andy Ibáñez, Tigers
The Cuban-born infielder didn’t get a chance at the big league level until he was 28 years old, but he’s been an average hitter in a semi-regular role. Now with Detroit, he is hitting .285/.318/.398 with two home runs in 49 games, playing all over the infield and outfield. He doesn’t walk, and while he had low strikeout rates previously, his whiffs have skyrocketed this year to a 28 percent strikeout rate. A right-handed bat, Ibáñez has modest power and may not be a starter, but he wouldn’t be eligible for free agency until after 2028.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Blue Jays
Kiner-Falefa has long been a glove-first player capable of playing all over - he has played every single position on the field except first base. But this year he has shown something with the bat as well, hitting a career-best .292/.338/.420 with seven home runs in 82 games. The 29-year-old right-handed hitter doesn’t walk much, but he hardly ever strikes out either. He has stopped stealing bases this year, but has been a threat on the bases in the past with 20+ steal seasons in 2021 and 2022. Kiner-Falefa is signed to a two-year, $15 million deal that carries through 2025, but reports indicate the Blue Jays may only be willing to trade players with expiring deals.
Ryan McMahon, Rockies
McMahon is enjoying a career year at age 29, hitting .274/.350/.455 with 14 home runs in 90 games, his first 100+ OPS+ season. He is near the top of the league in hard-hit rate and exit velocity and has been equally effective away from Coors Field as he is in high altitude. McMahon is a tremendous defender - he has been a Gold Glove finalist in each of the past three seasons - and he is capable of playing second base. The Rockies are definitely out of it, but are reportedly not willing to trade McMahon, who they signed to a six-year, $70 million contract in 2022. If he does become available, the Dodgers and Yankees are expected to pursue him.
Luis Rengifo, Angels
If the Royals want to get back to their high-contact approach that worked in 2014-15, Rengifo could be an attractive target. With a strikeout rate of just 13.4 percent, he is one of the hardest hitters to strike out. He has also improved with the bat in each of the last three seasons, and is enjoying a career year with a line of .315/.358/.442 with six home runs in 69 games. His walk rate spiked up significantly last year, but that hasn’t carried over to this year. He has suddenly become a big base stealer, swiping a career-high 22 bases in 28 attempts. He has positional versatility in the infield and outfield and has solid defense. The switch-hitter is under club control through 2025, so even though he is on the Injured List now with a wrist injury, he should be back in a few weeks and could contribute next year as well.
Amed Rosario, Rays
Rosario has split his time all over the field - second, short, third, and outfield. The 28-year-old has been an average bat over his career, and is hitting .302/.324/.409 with two home runs in 67 games. He doesn’t walk much, but has fairly low strikeout rates as well. He hit 15 home runs in 2019, but his power has faded. He can swipe bases, stealing 15 in 17 attempts last year, although he has been less successful this year. Rosario makes just $1.5 million this year and is a free agent at the end of the year, so the Rays should be pretty motivated to move him.
Isaac Paredes, Rays
The chances of the Rays making the playoffs is fading, which could lead to a selloff for a team that is constantly churning the roster. Paredes hit 31 home runs last year, and is enjoying a career season, batting .267/.360/.470 with 15 home runs, earning his first All-Star nod. But the Rays are always looking to sell high, and with top prospect Junior Caminero waiting in the wings, Paredes could become expendable. The 25-year-old has shown solid power and a healthy 10 percent walk rate with dependable defense. He is under club control through 2027, so it would take a pretty large haul to acquire him.
Abraham Toro, Athletics
Toro has bounced around from the Astros to the Mariners to the Brewers to the A’s, with teams thinking there is a good hitter in there, his talent just needs to be unlocked. He has gotten regular playing time in Oakland and has been decent, batting .260/.303/3.86 with six home runs in 73 games. He has always had very good contact rates, but has struggled to make good contact. He’s a solid defender that can play all over the feild, and the 27-year-old switch hitter isn’t eligible for free agency until after 2026.
Gio Urshela, Tigers
Urshela has been a terrific infield defender for years, but his bat has dropped off this year at age 32. He’s hitting .257/.294/.335 with just three home runs in 64 games. He’s another high-contact hitter who doesn’t strike out much and puts the ball in play, but he doesn’t bring much power or speed. He had a hamstring injury to start the year that may have hampered his performance, his expected batting average is a healthy .283, and he has been on a tear lately, hitting .355 in eight games in July, so perhaps he could be a cheap, buy-low opportunity.
Patrick Wisdom, Cubs
Wisdom was a slugger at AAA blocked in St. Louis and Texas, but who finally got a chance in 2021 with the Cubs. He responded with three consecutive 20+ home run seasons, albeit with a ton of strikeouts and poor defense at third. He has always been a low-average hitter, but he’s under the Mendoza Line this year, batting .189/.275/.356 with just three home runs in 103 plate appearances. His exit velocity and barrel rate are both down this year, so there may not be much left in the tank for the 32-year-old, but it wouldn’t take much to get him and he may still have pop for the lineup.