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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Royals should make

By Parker Hurley

Jul 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) hits a one run double in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) hits a one run double in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Eduardo Nunez (9) fields a ground ball in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Eduardo Nunez (9) fields a ground ball in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Eduardo Nunez

Nunez is in the similar mindset to adding Escobar. Nunez has been the leadoff hitter for the Twins this entire season, and has a .341 on-base percentage when leading off. What Nunez brings that Escobar does not is the ability to run on the base paths. Escobar has 33 career steals since 2008. Nunez is on pace to pass 33 steals this season. Nunez has never really played second base, while Escobar has played it a bit, but for the majority these two would be brought into play third.

Nunez is younger and may prove to be cheaper. He is in arbitration, and while he is having a big year, only made a little over $1 million last year. He will surely make more next season, but could come in close to or less than what Yunel Escobar will make next year.

For the Twins, they still have to move on from Nunez, even with the production and team friendly deal. They have younger names emerging at shortstop and third base, and while Nunez is performing well, he is already 29. He hit 18 home runs from 2010-2015 and has hit 12 this season alone. This is a breakout season and really no one saw this coming.

A team like the Royals can use his stats this year much more than the Twins in 2016. If he begins to fall off, the Royals will use him as depth. If he succeeds, the Twins had younger options anyways. If he reverts back to his earlier career, the Royals are not invested heavily. While the teams are division rivals, it seems like it is a deal that could get done.

Next: 2. Carlos Beltran

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