A look at three potential Royals trade returns for Bubic, Marsh – Farm to Fountains

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Amid the Election Day news, reports broke that the Kansas City Royals would be willing to listen to offers for depth arms on their big league roster. Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that the Royals could listen on Kris Bubic and Alec Marsh in their pursuit of lineup help. Some of the report hedged that some, stating that the Royals may do so if free agency doesn’t prove fruitful in the team’s quest for more hitters in their lineup. The Royals have a self-stated focus on acquiring a leadoff hitter with on-base skills and a middle-of-the-order thumper to provide more pop behind Witt, Pasquantino, and Perez.

Bubic enters arbitration again this offseason. He agreed to a $2.35 million contract last offseason, avoiding arbitration. Marsh has just one year of service time and isn’t scheduled to hit free agency until 2029. Bubic will be a free agent after the 2026 season. With Michael Wacha now re-signed to a long-term contract, the Royals have some depth and flexibility among their big league pitching staff. Up-and-coming prospects from the farm, such as Noah Cameron, provide more flexibility for the Royals. After a standout season as a reliever, there are questions about whether Bubic would fit back into the teams rotation anyway.

What might these two arms bring in a return? Who might be interested? That much is yet to be seen, but there shouldn’t be a team in the league that wouldn’t be interested in controllable pitching for the right price. A look at some potential trade scenarios are below.

Taylor Ward has long been a name among Royals circles. Last deadline he was a favorite name of many but the Angels ultimately held on to their outfielder. The compensation here may seem hefty, but considering all factors I don’t think it’s all that unrealistic. Ward won’t be a free agent until 2027 and is coming off a solid 111 wRC+ in 2024. He enters his age-31 season in 2025 and should cost somewhere near $8.7 million in arbitration. Ward gives the Royals the improved on-base skills they’re in need of, even if they don’t come at elite levels. His zone contact rate fell some last season to 84.7% but has been at or near 90% for much of his big league career.

Behind Bubic, Champlain is a solid arm but won’t likely fit into the deep Kansas City rotation. He could be a starter for the Angels who need a new-look rotation in 2025 after already trading away Griffin Canning. Charles is a high-upside prospect who’s flourished in the Kansas City farm system to this point. All three players are valuable and offer varying levels of future upside. Despite that, the Royals pull the trigger here to acquire controllable lineup help already proven at the big league level.

Hoerner is perhaps my favorite lead-off trade candidate. The Cubs have some flexibility to deal him with other infield options in tow or on the way. They already have Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson on the active roster. Not far away is the team’s top prospect Matt Shaw. They also have Cam Smith and James Triantos in the farm system. For that reason, coming off a disappointing 2024 that saw them miss the playoffs, Chicago may look to shake things up. They’re reportedly in the market for starters and bullpen help. It seems like a really solid trade fit this winter. Hoerner is coming off of a 3.9 fWAR season and has been worth 12.8 fWAR over the last three seasons combined. He reaches free agency after the 2026 season, offering two years of control.

In 2024, Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with a 6.9% walk rate and an elite 94.2% zone contact rate. He doesn’t hit the ball all that hard, but he rarely chases or swings without contact. Heading back is an expensive package for certain. The Royals give up both of Marsh and Bubic, as well as a high-upside catching prospect. I’m not certain the Royals will give up both Marsh and Bubic. More likely, they’ll look to keep one but to acquire a player like Hoerner I think they should entertain sending both. Ramirez becomes disposable as a good catching prospect with value — but the third best in the farm system currently.

I’m three trades in and the prices seem steep, but that’s the cost of proven big league talent. This one seems a bit under what it may end up, even. Garcia is under contract in 2025 and a free agent after the season. He’s coming off a down season that saw him slash just .224/.284/.400. He did hit 25 home runs, however, and was an All-Star in 2023 with a 126 wRC+ on the season. The Rangers have stated a desire to trim payroll this winter and this trade would do so without sacrificing too much of their future. Garcia maintained a hard hit rate last season above the 80th percentile and Kansas City would be banking on a bounce back.

Marsh’s long-term control could boost his value enough to make this deal happen, but it wouldn’t offer the Royals any on-base help. Garcia would fit in behind Pasquantino and Perez as added power in the heart of the order.

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