Looking to upgrade their bullpen for the upcoming playoff race, the Kansas City Royals have made a trade to upgrade their bullpen.
The Royals acquired reliever Hunter Harvey in a trade with the Washington Nationals.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the deal on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
Trade news: The Kansas City Royals are acquiring right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 14, 2024
Passan also reported on the details of the trade.
“In the deal for Hunter Harvey, Kansas City is sending third baseman Cayden Wallace and 39th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, which starts Sunday.”
In the deal for Hunter Harvey, Kansas City is sending third baseman Cayden Wallace and 39th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, which starts Sunday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 14, 2024
The pick in question is a Competitive Balance Round pick which, unlike regular draft picks, can be traded.
Harvey made 43 appearances for the Nationals in 2024. In those outings, he posted a 4.20 ERA, 1.222 WHIP and struck out 50 hitters over 45 innings.
Over the 2022 and 2023 season, Harvey combined to make 95 appearances, posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.020 WHIP while striking out 112 hitters in an even 100 innings.
While his production has been down in 2024 compared to the previous two seasons, Harvey should still help Kansas City’s bullpen. The Royals 4.26 bullpen ERA and 1.41 bullpen WHIP are the 10th and third worst, respectively, in MLB this season.
Kansas City is seven games behind the American League Central leading Cleveland Guardians. The American League Wild Card race is much tighter, with the Royals one game behind the Boston Red Sox, who told the last spot.
[Jeff Passan on X]
