Royals Pull Off Third Straight Moneyball-Style Deadline, Add Six to Drive Wild-Card Chase
The front office swapped fringe prospects for six under-the-radar acquisitions that bring 14 years of combined control as Kansas City resumes its wild-card pursuit in Toronto.
Overview
- The Royals added outfielders Adam Frazier, Randal Grichuk and Mike Yastrzemski alongside pitchers Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Bailey Falter at the July 31 deadline.
- They traded away fringe prospects Cam Devanney, Andrew Hoffmann, Freddy Fermin, Callan Moss, Yunior Marte and Evan Sisk while preserving their top minor-league talent.
- General manager J.J. Picollo said the haul balances the team’s push for wins this season with careful stewardship of the farm system.
- Kansas City climbed from seven games under .500 on July 1 to one game below .500 by deadline day, vaulting into ninth place in the American League.
- The Royals begin a weekend series in Toronto just 3½ games back of the final wild-card spot after a 15–9 July surge.