TRADE: KC Royals Acquire ex-All-Star Slugger

The Kansas City Royals find themselves in an unusual situation at the trade deadline — as buyers. They are in a playoff spot (3rd Wild Card), and will try to get to the postseason for the first time in nine years. They have now added a power bat to their lineup, trading for Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox are trading Paul DeJong to the Royals, via multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/o8xt2G0f7J
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 30, 2024

DeJong was an All-Star in 2019 when he slugged 30 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals, but has been in a downward spiral since then, until this season. He has rediscovered his power stroke, launching 18 long balls thus far with the Pale Hose, though he still features alarming strikeout rates, whiffing 112 times in 102 games, while batting .228.

As a shortstop, DeJong will obviously not be playing his natural position in KC, as they have a pretty decent guy at short already... You may have heard of him—Bobby Witt Jr.

DeJong has also played a little bit of third base this year, though he'll likely take most of his at-bats with the Royals as the DH.

In return, the Royals will send minor league reliever Jarold Rosado to the White Sox. The 22-year-old has a 1.85 ERA in 27 games for Single-A Columbia this season.