Headlines

  • Mets Option Kodai Senga
  • NPB’s Kazuma Okamoto, Tatsuya Imai Expected To Be Posted For MLB Teams
  • Shelby Miller Likely Headed For Tommy John Surgery
  • Red Sox To Place Roman Anthony On Injured List
  • Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Diagnosed With Torn ACL
  • Braves Claim Ha-Seong Kim From Rays
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Royals Exploring Trade Market For High-Leverage Relievers

By Steve Adams | January 25, 2024 at 1:13pm CDT

The Royals have been one of the game’s most active teams this winter but don’t appear done with their offseason just yet. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Kansas City still hopes to add a closer to its bullpen and is currently looking at the trade market now that free agency has been largely picked over.

While a handful of names have popped up on the trade market this offseason, Kansas City may be just as hard-pressed to find a closer via trade as in free agency. The Guardians listened to offers on closer Emmanuel Clase at the Winter Meetings in December, but he’s signed for another five years. That’d point to a massive asking price in return, and the price for a division-rival club might be even steeper.

More recently, Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen has surfaced in rumors, but the Royals’ projected $112MM payroll is already going to be the team’s highest since 2018. Adding Jansen’s $16MM salary would give the Royals their third-highest payroll ever, trailing only the 2016-17 seasons that immediately followed their consecutive World Series appearances (and 2015 World Series victory).

Any mention of a team trading for a closer figures to reignite yearslong speculation about Pirates star David Bednar, but a move involving the Pittsburgh native seems overwhelmingly unlikely. Bednar remains highly affordable and is controllable for another three seasons. The Pirates’ offseason has been focused on adding pieces rather than subtracting them, and owner Bob Nutting recently commented at length about his desire to contend in 2024. A trade of Bednar would register as a legitimate surprise at this point.

It bears mentioning that trading for “a closer” is a somewhat nebulous description. Players like Clase and Jansen are clear, set-in-stone closers with their respective clubs, but many teams take a committee approach to the ninth inning. Others are content to plug in a less-experienced arm and hope for solid results, as the Nationals did last year with Kyle Finnegan, for instance. The 32-year-old Finnegan was available at the trade deadline but didn’t change hands. He paced the Nats with 28 saves, bringing his career total to 50. That certainly qualifies him as a “closer,” but it’d be a stretch to think that makes him more preferable to the Royals than, say, a younger high-end setup man with more club control and superior rate stats but fewer saves.

However the Royals want to define their targets, the implication is clear: they’re looking for a leverage arm to pitch meaningful innings in what they hope will be a much-improved 2024 season. Kansas City has already signed Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Hunter Renfroe, Will Smith, Chris Stratton and Garrett Hampson to big league deals totaling $105MM in value. They acquired righty Nick Anderson from the Braves, and in a separate deal with Atlanta picked up injured starter Kyle Wright, who’ll likely miss the ’24 season following shoulder surgery but is controllable via arbitration through 2026.

As things stand, the veteran Smith and righty James McArthur are probably the front-runners to close games in Kansas City. Smith has 113 career saves and signed a one-year, $5MM deal to return to the organization with which he made his MLB debut back in 2012. McArthur was a speculative pickup after being cut loose by the Phillies, and after a slow start he finished out the season with 16 1/3 shutout innings, 19 strikeouts and no walks in his final 12 appearances. Stratton and Anderson give the Royals a pair of experienced setup options — health permitting, in Anderson’s case — and they’ll likely be joined by flamethrowing righty Carlos Hernandez.

It’s somewhat interesting to note that the Royals are only a few months removed from trading prior closer Scott Barlow, who went to the Padres at last summer’s trade deadline (and has since been shipped to Cleveland). That swap arguably came a few months too late, as Barlow’s rocky first half in 2023 surely caused his stock to dip from where it’d been after he notched a 2.62 ERA, 28.7% strikeout rate and 8.2% walk rate with 42 saves from 2020-22.

The Royals’ wide-reaching slate of acquisitions to this point have undoubtedly bettered the roster, but Kansas City would need to improve by a magnitude of around 30 games to have a real postseason chance after going 56-106 last year. Extensive as their acquisitions from outside the organization have been, that’s not likely to become a reality without some meaningful improvements from young players already in house. Adding another quality bullpen arm to the late-inning mix can only help, but it’s a steep road back to contention after losing a combined 203 games over the past two seasons.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Kansas City Royals

Blue Jays, Orioles Have Shown Interest In Domingo German
Main
Yankees, Luis Torrens Agree To Minor League Deal
View Comments (47)
Post a Comment

47 Comments

  1. 88 Brooklyn Dodgers

    2 years ago

    Ended up having a better run then the Cubs.

    4
    Reply
  2. DanUgglasRing

    2 years ago

    They should trade the pirates several prospects for chapman.

    1
    Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 years ago

      Did you not read the article, DanUgglasRing?

      The owner of the Pirates wants to be competitive this year.,
      SMH

      2
      Reply
      • ElGaupo77

        2 years ago

        Per zips pirates had one of the best bullpens in baseball… and then they signed Chapman

        2
        Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      2 years ago

      Royals Exploring Trade Market For High-Leverage Relievers
      Right after Hader signs?
      2 little, 2 late

      2
      Reply
  3. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    So they will have an elite BP and everything else will be meh?

    3
    Reply
    • Canuckleball

      2 years ago

      In fairness, that is the literal description of their last World Series team.

      11
      Reply
      • acoss13

        2 years ago

        They rode that bullpen to two back to back pennants and a championship. Starters just had to be good enough to hand the ball to Herrera, Davis Holland, and it was game over.

        3
        Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 years ago

      another nostradamus that doesn’t know squat

      Reply
  4. YourDreamGM

    2 years ago

    Don’t see why Cleveland would charge KC a steeper price. Do they consider KC a rival? Even so the talent cost to get Clase should be more negative than what a closer would gain.

    Reply
    • Cardsfanatik redux

      2 years ago

      I’d argue that KC is every bit as good as Cleveland right now.

      2
      Reply
      • BarryBongs

        2 years ago

        The Royals lost 106 games last year playing in MLB’s worst division lol. No arguments to be made.

        3
        Reply
        • Cardsfanatik redux

          2 years ago

          I didn’t know we were talking about last year… But ok..

          1
          Reply
      • Skiiggy

        2 years ago

        The Royals had three starters pitch more than 140 innings with an ERA over 5 last year

        Reply
    • Cody1981

      2 years ago

      Honestly the royals don’t consider Cleveland their rival ..since the royals have been in existence Cleveland has never won a World Series ..royals have multiple

      5
      Reply
      • case

        2 years ago

        I don’t think Cleveland would either. Royals had a couple good years sandwiched by around 30 years of being terrible. I imagine they do appreciate the easy wins when chasing a playoff berth.

        1
        Reply
      • So many crybaby Mets fans

        2 years ago

        @Cody1981 If multiple you mean two, good job. You make it sound like the Royals have won several times.

        Cleveland also has two World Series wins in their franchise and have probably made the postseason three times as much as the Royals…

        No clue what you’re trying to prove… the AL Central is terrible.

        Reply
        • Cody1981

          2 years ago

          2 wins in over a hundred years is pretty sad.

          1
          Reply
        • So many crybaby Mets fans

          2 years ago

          But they’ve been to the postseason more than the Royals… that’s arguably better or at least the same. Some teams haven’t even won a World Series.

          Or is this just Guardians hate? Twins had like 14 straight postseason losses… what about them?

          Reply
  5. CardsFan57

    2 years ago

    Aren’t all teams in the market for high leverage relievers?

    13
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      2 years ago

      Probably not Oakland, but your point stands.

      7
      Reply
  6. LordD99

    2 years ago

    Not sure what the Royals have to offer for a high-leverage reliever / closer. A good one.

    4
    Reply
    • splooz

      2 years ago

      The potential of Frank Mozicatto could probably get you a closer.

      Reply
      • gregorykc

        2 years ago

        Does Mozzicato have potential?

        Reply
  7. 101reklaw

    2 years ago

    KC could’ve just signed Chapman without giving up anything in return. That was literally just 2 days ago. Now they look for a closer? No wonder they finish last.

    2
    Reply
    • JRamHOF

      2 years ago

      They may not have wanted to match Pittsburgh’s offer, and I’d argue that there are much better potential trade targets than Chapman anyway

      3
      Reply
      • bullred

        2 years ago

        I think it would be better to beat the offer by a million or two in free agency rather than trade prospects that are worth much more.

        Reply
  8. Hammerin' Hank

    2 years ago

    They could have taken the money paid to Renfroe, who they don’t need, for a reliever or two.

    1
    Reply
    • Poke56

      2 years ago

      I was thinking the same thing. I dont see how Renfroe is gonna be that big of a plus.

      Reply
  9. MacGromit

    2 years ago

    Miguel Castro anyone?

    Reply
  10. FullMontilla

    2 years ago

    Doval to the Royals for at least a premium ML ready prospect – won’t be much use on the Giants roster in ’24

    Reply
  11. Wagner>Cobb

    2 years ago

    Royals are assembling an all-mid team…and that’s more than sufficient to win the division. Fair play to them.

    1
    Reply
  12. Fishfan 3

    2 years ago

    Tanner Scott can close and avaiable.

    1
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      2 years ago

      What makes you think he’s available Fishfan?

      Reply
      • Fishfan 3

        2 years ago

        Bendix is listening on all players if the price is right except probably Eury Perez according to mlbtraderumors.com. 1 year left remaining at about 6M is too steep for us. He’s gone now with overpay or trade deadline for sure.

        Reply
        • rememberthecoop

          2 years ago

          Yeah I know but that’s just good business to listen. I can say anyone is available but then ask for the moon..Luzardo is a great example of this. Supposedly he’s available but no one would be willing to pay the price so you have to ask isnthr player really available?

          Reply
        • Fishfan 3

          2 years ago

          I’m curious, would you trade Bobby Witt for Perez straight up?

          Reply
        • RoyalDodger42

          2 years ago

          You weren’t even asking me, but… I cared enough to spend the last 20 minutes making an account and a proper commenter profile on this site just to be able to say the following…

          HELL NO!

          Hope that helps.

          Reply
  13. Citizen1

    2 years ago

    Wait. The royals are actually going to trade or sign healthy relievers than their usual scrap heap injured (holland, rosenthal) route? Amazing!

    Reply
  14. Robertowannabe1

    2 years ago

    Bednar is not going anywhere unless someone offers way too much to get him. The Bucs have control on Bednar for 3 more seasons and he is a local kid. No way are the Bucs going to move him yet unless they get an offer that no one could refuse. No one is going to offer that much.

    2
    Reply
  15. rememberthecoop

    2 years ago

    what about the M’s? They need offense and have a good pen. Maybe Brash?

    Reply
  16. bhambrave

    2 years ago

    I wonder if McArthur ever gets called Dan-o.

    Reply
  17. deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger

    2 years ago

    I wish Texas were also interested in these guys.

    Reply
  18. Hawktattoo

    2 years ago

    Didnt the angels sign all the releivers

    Reply
  19. D-Nice

    2 years ago

    They’ll probably end up giving Robertson an incentive laden deal. That may be the only way he remains a closer.

    Reply
  20. junkwax

    2 years ago

    They should definitely go after Jansen. He’s as high leverage as they come. I in no way want to see him leave the Red Sox. (Hot )

    Reply
  21. debubba

    2 years ago

    I don’t understand why they are doing this. Everyone wants to be competitive, but they are not even close to contention, even in a weak division like the AL central.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Mets Option Kodai Senga

    NPB’s Kazuma Okamoto, Tatsuya Imai Expected To Be Posted For MLB Teams

    Shelby Miller Likely Headed For Tommy John Surgery

    Red Sox To Place Roman Anthony On Injured List

    Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Diagnosed With Torn ACL

    Braves Claim Ha-Seong Kim From Rays

    Jason Adam Likely Headed For Season-Ending Quad Surgery

    Mariners Promote Harry Ford, Release Donovan Solano

    Phillies Sign Walker Buehler To Minors Contract

    Red Sox Extend Aroldis Chapman

    Administrative Leave For Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz Extended “Until Further Notice”

    Cubs To Sign Carlos Santana

    Red Sox Release Walker Buehler

    Pirates Place Isiah Kiner-Falefa On Outright Waivers

    Randy Rodriguez Recommended To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Padres Place Xander Bogaerts On IL With Foot Fracture

    Cardinals To Promote Jimmy Crooks

    Red Sox To Promote Payton Tolle

    Corey Seager To Undergo Appendectomy, Not Ruled Out For Season

    Frankie Montas To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Recent

    Diamondbacks Claim Elvin Rodriguez

    Marlins Announce Several Roster Moves

    White Sox Select Dominic Fletcher

    Tigers Place Kyle Finnegan On Injured List, Activate Parker Meadows

    Nationals Outright Darren Baker

    Mets Option Kodai Senga

    Front Office Subscriber Chat With Anthony Franco: TODAY At 3:00pm Central

    Twins Outright Noah Davis

    Poll: Who Will Round Out The AL Playoff Field?

    The Opener: Sproat, Brewers, Jays, Yankees

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Every MLB Trade In July
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version