Up and Coming

Gil Meche started but struggled, giving up four runs in five innings but the team got solid outings from former starter Zack Greinke and rookie reliever Joakim Soria, who has been outstanding in his debut season for the club. Cleveland starter C.C. Sabathia struggled as well as the youthful Royals had no problem getting hits off of him, amassing 11 in his seven innings pitched. The Tribe made a charge against Meche after being down 5-0, but they couldn’t pull it off against the strong Royals bullpen.

One of the big stars for the Royals was outfielder Billy Butler, who has been on fire as of late. At only 21 years old, Billy Butler is still a very young ball player and only in his rookie season. He’s sure not playing like a rookie though with the recent hot streak he’s been on.

When the Royals beat the playoff-contending Cleveland Indians on Saturday, Butler found himself right in the middle of the action as per usual, and highly instrumental in the win (despite getting nailed for wandering off third). With a 3 for 5 outing and 2 RBI, the kid from Orange Park, Florida is fighting his way into the AL Rookie of the Year debate.

Over his past 11 games, Butler has gone 16 for 39 for an average of .410, raising his previous average from .268 to .315, and his OBP from .288 to .347. The power numbers are coming too, with Butler hitting 2 homers and 11 RBI during this stretch.

Butler’s strike out to walk ratio isn’t all that impressive yet, mainly because he doesn’t walk much, not because he strikes out too often. He does provide some badly needed pop in the middle of the Royals lineup though, and should team with Alex Gordon, to give the Royals a strong 1-2 punch the in the heart of their lineup for years to come.

Trade that should happen

Kansas City sends Emil Brown and David Riske to Oakland for 1B Daric Barton.

The A’s may balk at giving up Barton as he is MLB ready and will contend for a starting job in the infield next season, but this summer to get quality you have to give quality as it is a seller’s market.

Brought over in the Mark Mulder trade from St. Louis, Barton has been tearing things up in triple-A Sacramento with a .323 average and 6 homers and 49 RBI to go with a great walk to strikeout ratio of 44/38. Barton would get immediate playing time in Kansas City as Ryan Shealy hasn’t been the answer and is now on the DL. Barton would also form a great duo with Alex Gordon on the corners for years to come in K.C.

If Oakland refuses on Barton, K.C. could also ask for Travis Buck or Michael Madsen but again, that is a steep price for the A’s to pay.

Oakland would get some immediate bullpen help as Riske has been a quality arm for the Royals from the pen’ all season. Emil Brown would bring some pop to a lineup that lacks it.

Overall, this trade works well for both teams and if Oakland doesn’t want to give up one of their upper-echelon prospects, I’m sure another team wouldn’t mind, as good strong bullpen help is near impossible to find at this time of year.

Trade that should happen

Toronto sends Troy Glaus to Los Angeles NL and Adam Lind to Kansas City for Clayton Kershaw from Los Angeles NL and Mark Teahen from Kansas City , while Kansas City sends Brian Bannister to Los Angeles NL for Andy LaRoche to complete the trade.

Now, I know 3 way deals are highly unlikely but this would be an interesting one. Toronto would get some young pitching and a quality replacement for Glaus, who would give the Dodgers some immediate pop at 3rd. Bannister would give the Dodgers some more pitching depth, or perhaps an attractive piece they could use to broker another deal. Kansas City also benefits by adding the very talented Andy LaRoche and up and coming Adam Lind. A win-win-win kind of deal.