The Kansas City Royals find themselves in a challenging division alongside the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians. They currently sit in third place with a record of 46-39, eight games behind the Guardians. According to FanGraphs, the Royals have a 37.8 percent chance of making the postseason, a 6.7 percent chance of winning the division, and a 1.2 percent chance of winning the World Series title.
Although the Royals have a talented roster and a strong pitching staff, they have significant holes, especially in the outfield. Their current outfielders Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Isbel and MJ Melendez are all subpar performers and below league average.
While it would be ideal to sign a superstar like Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox, the Royals lack a strong farm system, making such a move unlikely due to the White Sox’s high demands. Instead, they could turn to a division rival, the Detroit Tigers, who may begin selling soon. Mark Canha, whose contract with the Tigers is currently expiring and who will become a free agent after this season, could be an affordable acquisition.
A possible trade package for Canha could include infielder Peyton Wilson and right-handed pitcher Luinder Avila, who are ranked 22nd and 29th, respectively, in the Royals’ system by MLB Pipeline.
Mark Canha, 35, has performed consistently well on offense throughout his career, despite not being a strong outfielder on defense. Canha is known for his ability to get bases, and his on-base percentage benefits from a combination of walks and hit-by-pitches, even though he has a low batting average.
In 2024, Mark Canha has played 75 games, hitting .234/.342/.352 for an OPS of .695. In those 75 games, he has hit six home runs and 13 doubles, recorded 31 RBIs, and scored 35 times.
Peyton Wilson, 24, currently plays for the Royals’ Double-A affiliate and could be headed to the major leagues as early as the 2025 season. Like Canha, Wilson excels at getting on base and hitting for a solid average, although he isn’t known for his power. He has the potential to be a reliable role player, but is unlikely to become a superstar.
In 2024, Peyton Wilson has played 69 games, hitting .219/.338/.387 for an OPS of .724. In those 69 games, he has hit eight home runs and 12 doubles, recorded 37 RBIs, and scored 41 times.
Luinder Avila, 22, also plays for the Royals in Double-A. He shows solid potential as a starting pitcher, although his consistency remains an issue. In 2024, he has improved his strikeouts and reduced his hits, but continues to struggle with walks. Avila is considered a reliable fourth or fifth starter who can have a solid career.
In 2024, Avila has started 14 games. In those 14 games, he has pitched 64.2 innings, posted a 3.76 ERA, a 6-3 record, and had 66 strikeouts, 33 walks, and a 1.376 WHIP.
Signing Canha from the Tigers would solve the Royals’ outfield woes without a major overhaul of their farm system. This move could give the Royals the boost they need to remain competitive in the division and potentially secure a postseason berth.
