The Kansas City Royals find themselves at a crossroads as the MLB trade deadline creeps closer. Despite some recent wins against the Chicago Cubs, the team sits three games below .500.
That shaky record leaves their playoff hopes in limbo. There’s a lot to unpack—Vinnie Pasquantino’s public plea for Seth Lugo to stay, MJ Melendez’s mechanical tweaks, and the team’s cloudy trade strategy.
Let’s dig into what’s happening with Kansas City’s playoff chase and what the deadline might bring.
Vinnie Pasquantino’s Pitch: Why Seth Lugo Matters
Vinnie Pasquantino, who’s emerging as a clubhouse leader, hasn’t been shy about wanting Seth Lugo to stick around. Lugo’s been a rock in the rotation, posting a 2.94 ERA and keeping the Royals in more games than they probably deserve.
With Kansas City inching closer in the wild-card race, Pasquantino’s comments show how much the team values Lugo. The urgency’s real—every game feels like it matters twice as much right now.
The Clock Is Ticking
The Royals are walking a tightrope, trying to chase the playoffs while sitting near the bottom of the standings. Taking two out of three from the Cubs helped, but being three under .500 isn’t where anyone wants to be with the deadline breathing down their necks.
Key considerations:
MJ Melendez and the Royals’ Offensive Woes
While everyone’s talking about Lugo, MJ Melendez has been quietly working on his swing. He’s said he’s been tinkering—experimenting, really—and credits his recent hot streak to changes he made in the minors.
Melendez’s turnaround is a bright spot, but let’s be honest: the offense as a whole just isn’t clicking. Consistency at the plate keeps slipping away from them.
Challenges in Scoring Runs
ESPN’s Jeff Passan called out the team’s erratic offense, even with Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia putting up big moments. The Royals just can’t seem to string hits together when it counts.
The farm system doesn’t exactly have a bunch of ready-made bats, either. That’s a problem that won’t fix itself overnight.
Offensive hurdles to address:
Will Kansas City Become Sellers at the Deadline?
Honestly, the Royals look more like sellers right now. The offense is sputtering, and the record isn’t doing them any favors.
Lugo and a few bullpen arms could fetch a decent return if the front office decides to pull the trigger. The Athletic’s top 50 MLB trade candidates list includes several Royals, so the league’s watching what they’ll do.
Injuries Across MLB and Broader Trends
Injuries around the league could shake up the trade market, too. Guys like Germán Márquez, Tanner Scott, and Lance McCullers Jr. have landed on the IL, which only bumps up Lugo’s value.
Elsewhere, the Brewers are hot, and somehow, an Elvis event in London is making headlines. Baseball in July is never boring, is it?
Final Thoughts
The trade deadline brings both opportunity and risk for the Royals. Their playoff hopes depend on boosting the offense and holding onto key players like Seth Lugo.
With new trade assets popping up, Kansas City might consider selling to meet long-term goals. Royals fans wait, maybe a bit anxiously, to see what management does next.
Here is the source article for this story: Royals Rumblings – News for July 24, 2025
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