Time to move Merrifield

Kansas City baseball has been a big disappointment since the end of the incredible 2014 and 2015 postseason runs. In fact, only two players from those teams remain with the club—Salvador Perez and Adalberto Mondesi. The Royals have been trying to put a competitive team out on the field but have yet to find players that stick. Michael A Taylor and Andrew Benintendi might be the only exceptions. However, the Royals have been able to find late bloomers in their farm system. The Royals 2022 season to this point has certainly been one to forget. Kansas City, heading into the month of July, will be looking to flip pieces for younger talent. The team has a few trade chips that could bring back decent players that could help the ball club be competitive in the near future. The Royals big trade chips include Andrew Benintendi, Scott Barlow and Whit Merrifield. Many fans believe the team should have moved Merrifield at the deadline last season when he was on the top of his game. Unfortunately, the 2022 season for Merrifield has seen the 33-year old on the decline. However, I still believe the team can still get a decent haul in return for Merrifield. Before the 2022 season, Merrifield had posted great numbers the past few years. Despite Merrifield's poor start to this season, he can still help a contending team in multiple ways, whether with his bat or his ability to play in the infield or the outfield with his great speed. The Royals signed Merrifield to a four year deal worth $16.25 million back in 2019. In fact, the team was able to sign him for a bargain. Merrifield has one year left on his current deal with the Royals following the end of the 2022 season. The final year of team control, in my opinion, boosts Merrifield's trade value. Like with Carlos Santana, the Royals are hoping Merrifield's offensive numbers improve as the season continues. The Royals at this point have yet to say whether or not they are willing to trade the 33-year old. In my opinion, the team must move Merrifield this season before his trade value drops even lower, hurting the Royals chances of acquiring pieces that can help the team now and in the near future. The players in return for Merrifield need to at least have the potential of what Edward Olivares has done to this point in his big league career or better. Many teams have been linked to Merrifield in the past few seasons including the Mariners, Padres, Phillies, Rays, Mets, Cubs, and the Angels. While it is unclear whether the following teams had legitimate interest in trading for Merrifield or not, it definitely shows that the utility player's skills could help many teams as they look to make a push for the postseason. The Royals will be extremely busy during the upcoming trade deadline with multiple players on the trade block, but must take advantage of Merrifield's trade value now before the team only gets a middle of the pack type of package in return, pushing the team's contention window back even further. Not only will trading Merrifield help the team, but Merrifield deserves to go to a team that’s hoping to make a run for the postseason and the World Series instead of wasting his talent on a team that doesn't look to make the playoffs while he is under team control. Merrifield's contract runs through the year 2023, with an 2024 option. With Merrifield's contract being super team friendly, it can only help increase his trade value allowing teams to acquire a player that is on a cheap contract and that can play multiple positions on the diamond. Not only can Merrifield play multiple positions on the field, he can play them well with great speed. Although the 33-year old's ability to play other positions is a great benefit for a team that is looking for a utility player, the question remains can Merrifield return to his former self at the plate? The right handed hitter owns a .286 career batting average with over 300 runs batted in with 71 home runs. Merrifield's 2022 season, to this point, has been a disappointment for him and the team. The fan favorite this season owns a .231 batting average with three homers and 32 runs batted in. Although the 33-year-old's numbers aren't great at this point of the season, I believe that Merrifield can turn his season around based on his approach at the plate and his career numbers. Merrifield unfortunately hasn't been the only one struggling at the plate on the team, the Royals have had multiple hitters go into offensive slumps including recently traded first baseman Carlos Santana who was shipped to Seattle for a pair of pitchers. Unlike the Santana trade, the Royals should expect a great return for the veteran utility player who has the chance to get traded to a contender in the upcoming weeks.