Josh Willingham acquired by the Kansas City Royals
By Hayden Kane
The Kansas City Royals are on a team on the rise in the American League. Now they have added another power bat to their lineup to try and keep the momentum going.
On Monday the Royals acquired outfielder Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitching prospect Jason Adam. Darren Wolfson first reported the news.
Willingham to Royals, per source. #mntwins
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 11, 2014
The Royals have acquired Josh Willingham for Jason Adam.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) August 11, 2014
#Royals will pick up rest of Willingham's salary. They claimed him off revocable trade waivers, per source.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 11, 2014
Don’t look now, but the Royals are only a half game behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central entering Monday’s action. Willingham will enter a situation that is surrounded by buzz and hype as the Royals finally look like the playoff-capable team that so many wanted them to be entering the season.
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In 2014 Willingham is batting just .210/.345/.402 with 12 home runs and 34 RBI. The Royals are not asking him to be a savior, however.
They just need another thumper in the middle of the lineup who can drive in runs and hit the ball out of the park. Even in a down season, Willingham is well-established when it comes to those skills and stands to be an immediate upgrade for an otherwise mediocre Kansas City offense.
As for the Twins, they do well here to get a young pitcher for Willingham now instead of losing him for nothing at the season’s end.
Normally a move for Willingham wouldn’t move the needle much, but in the context of the team’s recent hot streak, this transaction ought to get people’s attention…especially some people in Detroit.