The Kansas City Royals were active in the trade market, making their second trade in two days by sending reliever Jose Cuas to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Nelson Velázquez. The 24-year-old Velázquez has been added to the Royals’ 40-man roster and will start in Triple-A Omaha.
Velázquez showcased his hitting prowess with an impressive .934 OPS in 13 big league games for the Cubs, hitting five extra-base hits, including three home runs. He has spent most of this season with Triple-A Iowa, posting an .802 OPS with 16 home runs. Over his career with the Cubs in the last two seasons, Velázquez has maintained a .210/.290/.407 slash line with nine home runs.
The Royals’ general manager, J.J. Picollo, spoke highly of Velázquez’s power potential and his ability to drive the ball. While acknowledging the need to address some swing-and-miss tendencies, the team believes he can be a valuable option at the right-hand side of the plate in the outfield. The Royals envision him primarily as a corner outfielder, although he is capable of playing all three positions.
On the other side of the trade, Jose Cuas, 29, had his Major League debut last season after signing with the Royals as a Minor League free agent in 2021. He has appeared in 45 games this season for the Royals, recording a 4.54 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 21 walks.
The trade allows the Royals to create space in their bullpen and adds reliable outfield depth with Velázquez. It comes after the Royals traded Nicky Lopez to the Atlanta Braves for lefty reliever Taylor Hearn, indicating the team is actively looking to improve its roster as the Trade Deadline approaches.
While some players like Scott Barlow, Taylor Clarke, Carlos Hernández, Ryan Yarbrough, and Edward Olivares may be subject to potential trades, the core of the Royals’ team, comprising young position players and pitchers seen as the foundation for their future, has not been made available during this Deadline. Picollo confirmed that some interest has been shown in starting pitcher Brady Singer but suggested that it would take a significant deal to part ways with him.
The Royals are looking to make marginal improvements and add depth to their roster through trades, focusing on the reliever market to strengthen their team. They prefer to acquire Major League-ready talent but are open to adding young prospects to bolster their future prospects. The team is striving to strike a balance between immediate impact and long-term development as they continue to build for the future.
