Royals acquire Lucas Erceg

Kansas City has made significant strides this season to field a competitive team every night. The Royals' rotation is solid, with both Lugo and Ragans leading the pack. JJ Picollo made moves to improve the bullpen with the additions of Will Smith, Chris Stratton, and John Schreiber. However, aside from Schreiber, the bullpen has been inconsistent. Before the trade deadline, Picollo was looking to add an outfielder and a bullpen arm. The team struck its first deal with the Rangers to acquire pitcher Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen is an upgrade over Alec Marsh, but it's unclear if he will be in the rotation or the bullpen.
Shortly after acquiring Lorenzen, the Royals made a trade with Oakland for lefthander Lucas Erceg. Erceg is a great addition to the bullpen now and for years to come. Erceg is under team control until 2030 and isn't a financial burden. Although Erceg has years of team control, he's no spring chicken. The 29-year-old has a year and a half of big league experience. The Athletics, as expected, are having a fire sale with the team moving to Vegas in 2028, seemingly indifferent to their fan base in Oakland.
Erceg has an electric fastball averaging 98 mph. This fastball isn't the only pitch he brings to the Kansas City bullpen. Erceg also features a changeup, slider, and sinker, with the fastball being the most notable in his repertoire. While in Oakland this season, Erceg was solid with a 3.68 ERA. He generates swings and misses with his heater, striking out 41 batters in 36.2 innings pitched so far. Before acquiring Erceg, the Royals had been unable to find a dependable closer after Will Smith removed himself from the role and James McArthur struggled with blown saves.
The addition of Erceg is significant, but who did the Royals give up? Kansas City sent righthanders Mason Barnett and Will Klein, along with outfielder Jared Dickey, to Oakland. Klein, unlike Barnett and Dickey, has big league experience, having appeared in five games this season. In those games, Klein struggled with a 6.35 ERA in 5.2 innings pitched, striking out six batters. Both Dickey and Barnett are likely overlooked by fans. Barnett has played in a substantial number of games in the lower minors for the Quad Cities River Bandits, with 81 games in 2024. Dickey knows how to hit, with nine home runs and 40 RBIs this season. However, the 22-year-old needs to address his strikeout issues, having struck out 64 times.
The additions of Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Erceg should greatly improve the bullpen and possibly resolve the closer role. The decision to add Lorenzen gives the team a long reliever and another option for the rotation if Marsh continues to struggle or goes down with an injury.


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