Kansas City Royals refuse to budge on Whit Merrifield
The Kansas City Royals fire sale is ongoing, but there is one player that will not be moving any time soon.
As the Kansas City Royals continue to stumble through the 2018 campaign, the fire sale remains ongoing. Jon Jay was the first to go, with Kelvin Herrera following in June. On Saturday morning, Mike Moustakas was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers. Seemingly anything with value is being shipped out as the Royals set their sights on the future.
However, there is one player that is not going anywhere. Despite plenty of rumors, the Royals are refusing to part ways with super utility man Whit Merrifield.
KC GM Dayton Moore on whether he’ll trade young star Whit Merrifield: “I can’t predict the future. But certainly won’t be traded at the deadline. We need him in our city and on our team.” Merrifield responded (on @MLBNetwork) that he loves KC and the Royals org.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 27, 2018
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It makes sense as to why the Royals would want to keep Merrifield. He has solidified a position that has been a revolving door since Frank White retired. Although he is never going to remind anyone of White, or even Omar Infante, defensively, Merrifield has been solid with the bat. He likely should have been the Royals representative in the All Star Game this season, having posted a solid .302/.372/.427 batting line, with 31 doubles and 19 steals.
For his part, Merrifield also wants to remain in Kansas City. He has repetitively mentioned that he wants an extension, and about how much he loves the city. Although there have yet to be any rumored discussions about that extension, Moore’s comments certainly appear to leave the door open for such a move to happen.
There are questions as to how prudent such a move would be. Merrifield is already 29 years old, and will be under team control until he turns 33, putting him at the end of his prime. He is not likely to be any better than he currently is, which is a solid enough player. However, depending on what is being offered for his services, the Royals may want to keep an open mind.
Next. Royals get excellent return for Moustakas. dark
For now, the Kansas City Royals do not have any plans to trade Whit Merrifield. This may change in the future, but for now, he will stay as one of the key pieces on the Royals.