The Royals have made offense a prime precedence this low season, and whereas their predominant goal is a leadoff hitter that may get on base, GM J.J. Picollo has additionally stated he would really like one other middle-of-the-order bat that may lengthen the lineup.
This yr’s free agent class is a bit skinny, with quite a few patrons which ought to escalate costs. That would go away the commerce market as a extra interesting means to enhance the ballclub. One participant that could possibly be out there, in accordance with reporting from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, is Phillies All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm.
Alec Bohm, third baseman: Coming off a career-best season, the 28-year-old Bohm nonetheless finds himself on the commerce block. Whereas he was a well-above-average hitter — .280/.332/.448 with 61 extra-base hits — his first-half OPS was practically 150 factors greater than within the second half, and the Phillies want to shake up their group after a disappointing postseason ouster by the Mets.
Bohm is an Omaha native who excelled at Wichita State earlier than the Phillies made him the third general decide within the 2018 draft. His OPS+ has improved in every of his 4 full seasons, and this yr he tied a career-high with 97 RBI and completed second within the Nationwide League with 44 doubles. His success was not a product of tiny Residents Financial institution Ballpark – he truly hit higher on the street with a line of .303/.345/.463.
Bohm has a below-average stroll fee of simply 6.6 p.c this yr, however he’s troublesome to strike out. His 15.7 p.c strikeout fee over the previous three seasons mixed is among the many 30 lowest charges in baseball and his 84.6 p.c contact fee this yr was Twentieth-best amongst all hitters. In different phrases, he looks like a hitter that may thrive in Kauffman Stadium, placing the ball in play and using the spacious outfield and deep alleys.
Defensively, Bohm had some issues early on in his profession, however improved considerably this yr. He was eleventh amongst all third basemans in Outs Above Common, simply behind Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia. General, his 3.5 fWAR was eighth amongst all third basemen.
The precise-handed hitter did have a second-half swoon that may be a bit regarding – he hit .251/.299/.382 after his look within the Dwelling Run Derby. He missed just a few weeks in September with a wrist damage, hitting simply .170 after returning, with a dismal 1-for-13 efficiency within the NLDS wherein he was benched for Sport 2.
Bohm has two extra years of membership management left earlier than he turns into eligible without cost company after the 2026 season. The 28-year-old is projected to make $8.1 million by arbitration subsequent yr.
The Royals are reportedly prepared to half with pitchers like Alec Marsh and Kris Bubic in an effort to land a bat. The Phillies may actually use an improve at fifth starter over costly free agent Taijuan Walker. They could additionally want a alternative for Bohm at third – inner choices would come with Edmundo Sosa, Weston Wilson, or Koby Clemens. Would a deal of Kris Bubic and Maikel Garcia for Alec Bohm work for each groups?
Alternatively, the Royals may look to deal Brady Singer, who’s in the same place to Bohm, with two years left earlier than free company. For a group trying to contend just like the Phillies, Singer can be a gorgeous improve for his or her rotation. Nevertheless, Picollo has indicated Singer “is a lock in our rotation.”
The Royals are in a very good place this low season with some cash to spend, belongings to commerce, and just a few apparent holes to fill. Bohm could possibly be a terrific addition, however the Royals could also be reluctant to deal from their pitching surplus.
