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MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 moves the Royals need to make

By Joshua Sadlock

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 12: Raul Mondesi #27 of the Kansas City Royals runs to third as he advances against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on April 12, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 12: Raul Mondesi #27 of the Kansas City Royals runs to third as he advances against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on April 12, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 25: Joe Smith #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during MLB game action against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on July 25, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 25: Joe Smith #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the seventh inning during MLB game action against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre on July 25, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

2. Trade for a quality reliever

The Royals have already worked to upgrade their bullpen by getting left-hander Ryan Buchter and right-hander Brandon Maurer from the Padres. Buchter has solid numbers and has struck out 47 in 38.1 innings. Maurer, not so much.

The 2017 Kansas City bullpen is a shade below the levels of dominance of the 2015 and 2016 teams. They are currently rocking a nine-man bullpen, so it would seem as though someone needs to go before anything else can be done in terms of reinforcing the bullpen. Maurer is a bounceback candidate in pitcher-friendly Kauffman Stadium, as his 3.22 FIP is indicative of a pitcher suffering from bad luck more than anything else.

A trade for a reliever may come after the trade deadline in the form of a waiver deal. Kansas City seems set for now with their full bullpen. An injury that pops up unexpectedly could change their direction in that regard. Blue Jays right-hander Joe Smith should be available. He is striking out a career-high 13.4 per nine.

Kansas City has the ability to sit back and take in the reliever market. They don’t need someone like Brad Hand, Justin Wilson or Brad Brach. Dayton Moore and the front office will continue working the phones and if a deal presents itself another reliever could only help the postseason pursuit.

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