After finishing as runner ups in the 2014 World Series, the Kansas City Royals are looking for additional pop in their lineup. They could fill that role by trading for Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, according to reports.
The Royals' top home run hitter in 2014 was left fielder Alex Gordon, who had 19. Only two other Royals, Salvador Perez (17) and Mike Moustakas (15), hit double-digit home runs; on top of that, only Gordon and Perez had 70 or more RBI with neither reaching 75.
Last season Howard batted a woeful .223, but showed good power. He finished his campaign with 23 home runs and 95 RBI while slugging .380. While he may appear to the naked eye as a clear platoon option as a designated hitter in the American League, his righty-lefty split were not drastically different.
Howard hit .221 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI vs. right-handed pitchers, and .230 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI vs. left-handers. He logged 459 plate appearances vs. righties and just 189 against lefties.
With Eric Hosmer entrenched at first base for the Royals, it's likely he would be used as a designated hitter primarily. That would increase his value, since he's never posted a positive defensive rating per Fangraphs in his entire career. He'd be the Royals' top power-hitter, and could serve as a viable replacement for Billy Butler, who may leave as a free agent.
The major stumbling block for any deal is Howard's cumbersome contract. He is owed $73 million over the next three seasons, with a $10 million buyout option in 2017. The Royals are a small market club that thrives on the contributions of cheap, young talent so if the Phillies are desperate to unload Howard, they will most likely need to eat the majority of his money.
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