MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades for Ryan Braun

4. Kansas City Royals

The Royals might look like sellers this year, but this team has overcome plenty of adversity in the past few years. If anything, they should be buying again this summer. 

Lorenzo Cain has been injured and Alex Gordon has underperformed, which means the Royals need an outfielder. Mike Moustakas will be out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear, which leaves the Royals with a need for a middle of the lineup bat. Kendrys Morales has been fine this year as the DH, but Braun is a much better hitter. Morales will be a free agent at the end of this season, which will make it that much easier for Braun to transition into the role as Kansas City’s new DH. 

The Royals are not really looking to increase their payroll, but they may be okay with giving up a higher-end prospect to convince the Brewers to eat some of Braun’s contract. The Brewers should be willing to listen if Kansas City offers some legitimate young talent. 

In Braun, the Royals would be getting a cheap upgrade at DH for the next few years. There are still major question have about Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain’s contracts moving forward, but adding Braun on a reasonable deal will give the Royals a couple years to really go after another World Series. 

Next: 3. Los Angeles Dodgers