While the Cubs acquired Felix Doubront earlier Wednesday, they're not done navigating the trade deadline waters just yet. Emilio Bonifacio, fresh off the disabled list, appears to be on the move, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. While Heyman lists the Giants, Reds, and Orioles as in play for the utility man, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles are out of the running, and highlights the Royals as the likely landing spot. A deal is likely to be consummated today, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
MLB trade rumor roundup: Royals eye Emilio Bonifacio, Toronto in on Asdrubal Cabrera
The Royals seem intent on making moves, Toronto looks to solve second base and other MLB trade rumors
Brian Kersey
Some may remember the Royals acquiring Bonifacio last August for a player to be named later or cash, only to release him this February to save around $3 million. Jed Hoyer and the Cubs snapped him up a few days later, signing him to a $2.5 million contract with $425,000 in incentives, with Kansas City still on the hook for $574,000 after cutting him.
In that light, it’s a bit surprising the Royals would be interested in acquiring a player they were so keen to avoid paying in full earlier in the year. Then again, they’re on the hook for less money at this point in the year, they know they’re at least in contention for the second wild card, and they should remember him fondly after he slashed .285/.352/.348 in 42 games down the stretch last season.
Bonifacio has been much the same player this year, producing a .279/.318/.373 slash line, though much of that is built upon an unsustainable April in which he batted .337/.385/.406. He's been hot in July though, and has mashed left-handed pitching all year, posting a 1024 OPS in 71 at-bats. If it's not the Royals, the Giants might be looking to get someone other than the recently acquired Dan Uggla at second base. Also, the Reds continue to hunt for someone to make up for Brandon Phillips' absence in the lineup.
Toronto a possible landing spot for Cabrera
With Justin Masterson shipped out of town, it only makes sense to view Asdrubal Cabrera as the next piece to go in Cleveland. Fortunately for them, the Blue Jays aren't necessarily satisfied with their solitary Cabrera (Melky), and might be interested in making it a pair, according to CBS Sport's Jon Heyman. It wouldn't be the trade deadline without conflicting reports, though, and Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal says that the Jays are focused on adding arms, not bats.
While Cabrera was once an above-average offensive and defensive player, he's slipped in both regards. After a lackluster 2013 in which he produced a 96 OPS+, he's below league average on offense again in 2014, with a 98 OPS+. Jose Reyes remains upright for now, so Cabrera would likely be slotted in at second base, replacing the ineffectual Ryan Goins, and his 584 OPS. Cabrera is a free agent following the 2014 season, so this would be a short term acquisition for Toronto, as they attempt to retain their two game lead for the second wild card in the American League.
Multiple teams in on Kennedy
While they're contemplating re-acquiring Bonifacio, the Royals are also focused on pitching, and represent one of multiple landing spots for the Padres' Ian Kennedy, should San Diego decide to move him. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal also notes the Pirates and Marlins as options, though he cautions that it's possible Kennedy remains in San Diego.
Pitching in San Diego has breathed new life into Kennedy; he’s bumped his strikeout rate up by five percentage points and dropped his walk rate by almost two. He’s generating the highest ground ball percentage in his career and would be under team control through the 2015 season. His big problem in Arizona was the longball, which is mitigated with PETCO park as him home field.
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