Royals Make Waves with Strategic Trade for Mason Black
The Kansas City Royals are making headlines as they capitalize on the crowded 40-man rosters of rival teams this week. In a move that reflects their calculated approach, the Royals first acquired outfielder Kameron Misner from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. Misner’s addition came after he was designated for assignment by the Rays, who needed to make room for returning injured players.
Acquisition of Mason Black
Following that initial transaction, the Royals continued their roster reshuffle on Tuesday by adding right-handed pitcher Mason Black from the San Francisco Giants. The exchange, which involved fellow righty Logan Martin going the other way, was first reported by Bob Nightengale. This deal marks a significant step for the Royals as they look to strengthen their pitching depth.
Black, who was designated for assignment just days ago, needed to clear space on the Giants’ 40-man roster. Fortuitously for Kansas City, they still have room to spare, maintaining a 21-pitcher, 16-position player split as of Tuesday afternoon. This flexibility could play a crucial role as the Royals explore further additions to their roster, particularly in the outfield, as they eye potential trade partners this winter.
What Black Brings to the Royals
In his brief major league career, the 28-year-old Black has struggled, posting a 6.45 ERA across nine starts. His performance at the Triple-A level has not been much better, with a 5.81 ERA for Sacramento—a number that is often inflated in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. While Black’s early statistics may raise concerns, the Royals appear to be viewing him as a depth option rather than an immediate rotation solution.
Implications for the Royals’ Pitching Depth
Logan Martin, the pitcher sent to the Giants in this trade, was no minor consideration for the Royals. Despite not being listed among the organization’s Top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline, Martin had a commendable 3.45 ERA in 22 starts at the High-A level this season. The 2023 12th-round pick was showing promise as a valuable investment for the future.
While Black’s addition could be seen as a low-risk move, it raises questions about the current pitching landscape within the Royals’ organization. With Black now in the mix, other pitchers—perhaps Ryan Bergert or even Kris Bubic—may find themselves in more precarious positions. The depth that Kansas City has been building might soon lead to further trades, as the team evaluates its assets and seeks to enhance its overall roster.
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on the Royals as they navigate the complexities of player trades and acquisitions, ushering in a new chapter for the franchise.
