The Kansas City Royals trade CF Andruw Jones and 3B Hensley Meulens to the Cincinnati Reds for 3B Scott Rolen and CF Jay Payton.
Woah.
Let’s unpack this.
First off, congratulations to Kansas City. They got the best player in the deal.
Scott Rolen is a legitimate star. He’s been one of the best hitters in the league, averaging around 6 WAR a season, and now he gets dropped into a lineup that was already loaded. He replaces Quilvio Veras and immediately gives the Royals another elite bat and elite glove.
And somehow, Kansas City is saving money.
Seriously.
They add a top-20 player, improve at third, and lower their payroll. That’s a pretty good day at the office.
Payton isn’t bad either. He’s struggled to really establish himself early in his career, but there’s talent there, and as a throw-in, you could do a lot worse.
For Cincinnati, this is where it gets interesting.
Andruw Jones is really good. Probably the best defensive center fielder in the league, and the offense is good enough to make him a star overall. Cincinnati had a hole up the middle, and Jones fills it immediately.
That part makes sense.
But Rolen?
You’re giving up a top-10 player in the league.
That’s a different conversation.
Meulens is basically irrelevant here. I’m pretty sure only Drucker and his mother are upset about him leaving. The bigger issue is what Cincinnati does at third base now.
Because I don’t see the answer on this roster.
And that’s ultimately my problem with the trade. Cincinnati got a very good player. Jones is absolutely not a slouch. But when you’re moving a player of Rolen’s caliber, I want more.
A lot more.
Maybe the Reds have another move coming. If they do, this could look different. But right now?
Kansas City gets richer, as they usually do.
Trade grades:
Kansas City Royals: A+ — Rolen is more important to this team than Jones, and they somehow save money doing it.
Cincinnati Reds: B — Jones is excellent and fills a major need. But you traded a top-10 player. I can’t help but be wanting more.