Nelson Velázquez, OF, Kansas City Royals
Another team that has curiously been making moves this offseason is the Kansas City Royals. Years removed from their last period of contention and trying to create a new window during the Bobby Witt Jr. era, the Royals might actually be looking to add some pieces for 2024. But who on their current roster would be an interesting fit for the Phillies in a trade?
The Phillies have that much-needed role of a right-handed bat who can play corner outfield and fill in at center field, seemingly wide open. Do the Royals have a guy like that?
How about Nelson Velázquez? The 24-year-old has some serious pop from the right side of the plate and had a decent year in a 2023 split between Kansas City and the Chicago Cubs. In only 50 games last season, Velázquez mashed 17 home runs in just 179 plate appearances. This is clearly a guy who has serious over-the-fence pop in his swing.
While Velázquez only saw action in three games in center field in 2023, he appeared in 32 games at the position during his first stint with the Cubs in 2022. It's not clear if the Royals would be interested in dealing a young player with some decent carrying tools who is also under team control until 2029, but why not give them a call?
The free agent market still has a few options available, so this is another trade that is very unlikely.