Royals reportedly open to trading Kris Bubic or Alec Marsh for offense

The latest from the GM meetings.

J.J. Picollo is in San Antonio for the GM meetings, potentially laying the groundwork for a deal later this off-season. He has already said his top priority is adding a leadoff hitter who can set the table. According to a report from The Athletic, he could be willing to deal his starting pitching depth to acquire it.

Improvement at the leadoff spot may help the issue. The Royals ideally want a better version of Garrett Hampson, a right-handed batter who plays center field, second base and shortstop. Among the players who might fit are Jonathan India and Spencer Steer (trade) and Jurickson Profar (free agent). They have some flexibility with the position. Michael Massey and Maikel Garcia can play the outfield.

If the Royals explore the trade market for offensive help, league sources suggested that they would listen to offers for pitchers such as left-hander Kris Bubic and right-hander Alec Marsh.

Royals leadoff hitters batted .228/.270/.334 this year, by far the worst in baseball. They also had the sixth-worst offensive production from third base (by wRC+) and the ninth-worst production from second base.

Marsh improved this year, posting a 4.53 ERA in 129 innings with 8.6 strikeouts-per-nine innings. He significantly improved his walk rate and home run rate that had plagued him his rookie year. But he had trouble going deep in games, pitching at least six innings in just six of his 25 starts.

Bubic spent the entire year in the bullpen after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was excellent in the role with a 2.67 ERA in 27 relief appearances and a phenomenal strikeout-to-walk ratio. He had mixed results earlier in his career as a starter, with a 4.99 ERA in 60 career starts.

The Royals have already re-signed Michael Wacha, keeping the core of their starting rotation intact with Wacha rejoining Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Brady Singer. Kyle Wright, acquired from the Braves last off-season, could be a rotation candidate this year after missing all of this year with injury. Picollo has stressed the need for starting rotation depth, saying “we have to go into the season seven, eight, nine starting pitchers deep, because things happen during the year.” Pitching prospect Noah Cameron could also be a rotation candidate next season after posting a 3.08 ERA in 25 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this year.