Potential trade target: Brett Baty
Could the Royals trade for a young third baseman?
The Royals head into this week’s Winter Meetings seeking to add a bat to the lineup to improve the offense. This season, Royals third basemen combined to hit .222/.280/.324, with Maikel Garcia spending most of the time there. He regressed with the bat this year, which could cause the team to look to upgrade the position.
There have been rumors the team could have interest in Phillies All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm, but the asking price from Philadelphia is said to be quite high. According to a report this week by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Royals may be setting their targets a bit lower, looking for younger, less established player.
The Royals’ preference is for a left-handed hitter. Jurickson Profar, a switch-hitter, likely will be out of their price range. A more likely target is Josh Rojas, who was non-tendered by the Seattle Mariners. The return of free agent Adam Frazier is a possibility as well, and a trade for Mets third baseman Brett Baty also would make sense.
Baty is a former first-round pick, selected 12th overall in 2019 by the Mets out of high school in Texas. He was a top 100 prospect for several years, making his MLB debut in 2022. He earned an extended look in the big leagues in 2023, but hit a disappointing .213/.275/.323 with nine home runs in 108 games. His numbers improved only marginally this year, and he ended with a line of .229/.306/.327 with four home runs in 50 games, and was demoted to the minors after May. The Mets went with Mark Vientos at third base, which may cause them to look to move Baty.
Baty is just 25 years old and isn’t yet eligible for arbitration, so he is young and cheap with some upside left. He still has an option year left as well, giving a team some roster flexibility if they were to acquire him. Baty is a left-handed bat who has struggled to hit lefties. He has good exit velocities and hard-hit rates, but also a high whiff rate. He seems to struggle particularly with off-speed pitches. Baty did suffer a fractured left index finger in August that caused him to miss the final month of the season, but he should be ready by spring training.
As a former top prospect who has disappointed in the big leagues, Baty would be an interesting candidate for a challenge trade for someone like MJ Melendez, who is in the same boat. But the Mets just acquired Juan Soto and have a crowded outfield. It might take a few prospects - not top prospects, but probably top 20 prospects to get a player like Baty.
After a playoff appearance last year, the Royals should be motivated to look for more established players that can help them win now. But Baty does provide upside and years of club control, and at his salary they can dedicate payroll to fill other needs.