The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow Part 7

The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow Part 7

 

 

 

We’re back once again with our next to last Trade Deadline preview. Today we will be looking at two teams who are still currently in the race, but could very easily fall out of it in the second half if they don’t do enough to improve. Those two teams are the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants. Both the Tigers and the Dodgers are hitting a groove and playing far better than they did at the beginning of the season. If that continues, these teams will be left behind looking towards next year.

Kansas City Royals

Positives- Pitching. Ability to hit for average. Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon being perennial Gold Glovers.

Negatives- Ability to hit for power.

The Kansas City Royals are going through a complete power outage this season. They cannot get the ball to leave the yard on a consistent basis. If you need singles and doubles then this is a great offense for you, but if you need a power swing that can put multiple runs on the board with one swing, look elsewhere because they won’t be able to help you. The Royals need to add a bat that can generate consistent power and also hope that guys like Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler wake up from these giant slumps and start hitting some more home runs. There isn’t much big time power out there and available to Kansas City but there are some guys that can certainly help and do a better job than what their lineup has done thus far. I would look to Marlon Byrd first and foremost because he’s much more adept defensively as well as being a good bat. When a guy needs a spell or if they were inclined to bench Aoki for his lack of production, Byrd can slide right in.

Other options to consider: Adam Dunn (CWS), Chris Carter (HOU).

San Francisco Giants

Positives- Jumping out to such a big lead early on that they can still consider themselves in the race. Tim Hudson rebounding from his terrible ankle injury to come back and be as good as ever. Madison Bumgarner providing the staff a true ace.

Negatives- The offense has died quicker than a goldfish won at a carnival. 2nd base production. Bench depth.

San Francisco is very lucky they jumped out to the huge lead that they did. After 60 games they had the best record in baseball and looked to be well on their way to the postseason. Then the hitting started to fade, Angel Pagan got hurt, and Sergio Romo had to be removed from the close role because of ineffectiveness. Thanks to that hot start however, they can still be considered a contender and a threat for a playoff spot. Without some upgrades and the offense coming back to form that will change very quickly. San Francisco needs to look for help at 2nd base and needs to bolster their bench so that a guy like Joquain Arias can stop getting playing time. They need to look at Ben Zobrist if Tampa Bay is willing to part with him. He can play second and is also versatile enough to play elsewhere to spell guys on certain days. Bench production has been a problem for San Fran over the last two years and they need to look at upgrades in both the infield and outfield in order to improve this issue. There is only one game separating them from Los Angeles but if they don’t get their act together soon it will be much more than that.

Other options to consider: Aaron Hill (ARZ), Martin Prado (ARZ), Eric Young Jr. (NYM), Eduardo Nunez (MIN), Justin Ruggiano (CHC), Nate Schierholtz (CHC).

That will do it for Part 7 of our Trade Deadline series. Join us tomorrow as we wrap the series up with a look at the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Until then, enjoy the games.