Inside The Royals

Yankees Predicted To Swipe Royals 24-HR Slugger To Fill Roster Hole In Free Agency

Will this former KC standout head to the Bronx?
Jackson Roberts|
Aug 17, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view of rain falling on the New York Yankees logo on the first base dugout roof during a rain delay in the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Aug 17, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view of rain falling on the New York Yankees logo on the first base dugout roof during a rain delay in the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals traded for an infielder at the 2024 deadline, but it appears that was only a short-term rental.

Though the Royals kept their other main trade acquisition, right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, in free agency, infielder Paul DeJong looks to be a goner. He wasn't bad during his brief Kansas City tenure, but he wound up being left out of the starting lineup during the postseason.

DeJong doesn't seem like a slam-dunk candidate for a starting role in 2025, but his surprise power outburst last season should at least earn him a roster spot. The 24 home runs he hit were the third-most of his career and the most since 2019.

In a recent article, Rachael Millanta of FanSided predicted that the 31-year-old DeJong would sign with the New York Yankees, who are currently entering the season with a question mark at the third base position.

"DeJong's age may work against him as he looks for another major league contract, but if that can be overlooked, there are a number of teams that could benefit from the depth he provides," Millanta wrote.

"Predicted team: New York Yankees."

DeJong slashed .227/.276/.427 last season across 139 games. That included a .694 OPS and six home runs in 37 games as a Royal, after he was traded from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitching prospect Jarold Rosado.

As a bench player/utility man, DeJong might provide a solid spark on occasion for a veteran team like the Yankees. But the Royals need to boost the number of impact players on their roster and it makes more sense to let younger players try and develop rather than bringing back a veteran with a relatively low ceiling.

More MLB: Royals Predicted To Acquire 20-HR Athletics Rising Star In Surprise Blockbuster

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Jackson Roberts
JACKSON ROBERTS

Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living. A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "Kansas City Royals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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