3 team needs for the Royals leading up to the trade deadline
The Kansas City Royals have battled through inconsistencies at the plate this season that have them staring at a 6 1/2 game deficit to the division-leading Detroit Tigers at the break.
While they've shown flashes - evidenced by a 10-game winning streak in mid-June - Ned Yost's men have been unable to put it all together for an extended period.
Though the mountain is steep, the Tigers have shown they're vulnerable for the first time in years. In addition, the wild card sits only 2 1/2 games away.
The Royals have the core to end a 28-year playoff drought, but there are three needs that need to be addressed.
1. Left-handed starter
Jason Vargas has been a pleasant surprise and is in the midst of a career year (8-4 with a 3.31 ERA) after signing a four-year, $32-million deal in November, but the southpaw currently finds himself on the disabled list following surgery to remove his appendix. Expected to be on the shelf for a few more weeks, along with uncertainty surrounding how he'll pitch when he returns, the Royals need some left-handed insurance. Bruce Chen is an internal option but has been awful this season (1-2 with a 6.46 ERA) and has spent the majority of his 2014 on the DL with a back injury.
2. Right-handed power bat
It's almost impressive how bad the Royals have been at the plate - especially from the right side - considering they are still in playoff contention. Kansas City's right-handed bats rank 27th in home runs (28), 20th in RBI (208), 20th in runs (221) and 18th in slugging percentage (.383). Salvador Perez has put up All-Star caliber numbers this season but when Omar Infante has more home runs than Billy Butler - in 55 less at bats - there's a problem.
3. Left-handed middle reliever
The rotation has been solid. Wade Davis and Greg Holland have been almost automatic at the back end of the bullpen. If there is an issue with the Royals' staff though, it's stability in the middle of the bullpen.
Following a productive 2013 season, lefty Tim Collins finds himself in Triple-A, leaving the inexperienced Francisley Bueno - 44 2/3 MLB innings since 2008 -and the deteriorating Scott Downs as the limited left-handed options in the pen; a terrifying thought for Royals fans when looking at Downs' 5.93 ERA and 15 walks over 27 1/3 innings of work this year.
Kansas City acquired right-hander Jason Frasor from Texas this week and the veteran should provide some help against left-handed hitters, as he's held them to a .233/.346/.279 line this season with 12 strikeouts in 52 plate appearances.