3 Trade Packages the Royals Could Get in Return for Whit Merrifield

Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield made his MLB debut at the age of 27, but he has quickly become one of the best leadoff men in the game, as he has led the AL in stolen bases twice, while leading the junior circuit in hits with 206 last season. With Mike Matheny's Royals going nowhere fast, Merrifield is a prime candidate to be traded at some point during the 2020 season. Kansas city could get a pretty nice haul for him if they send him to one of these three landing spots.

3. Chicago Cubs: Nico Hoerner, Miguel Amaya, Adbert Alzolay

Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner / Denis Poroy/Getty Images

While the Cubs' minor league system isn't terribly deep, Hoerner, a former first-round pick out of Stanford, is the cream of the Chicago crop at the moment, as the 22-year-old has an intriguing blend of speed, power, and contact. Merrifield's production and versatility would require Chicago to part with their promising infielder to get a deal done. Amaya would give Kansas City a replacement for whenever Salvador Perez starts to decline, and a promising lefty with some pro experience in Alzolay rounds out the package.

2. Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, Cristian Javier, Korey Lee

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker / Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Tucker is a top prospect who has found it difficult to break into an Astros outfield and lineup that features stalwarts like George Springer and Yordan Alvarez. While the Astros might want Tucker around in case Springer decides to leave in free agency, they could be inclined to deal him for Merrifield should they bring back Springer. For good measure, Houston should throw in a 23-year-old starter with nasty stuff in Javier and a potential starting catcher prospect in Lee.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers: Keibert Ruiz, Tony Gonsolin

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin / Robert Reiners/Getty Images

Merrifield could make the Dodgers' unit one of the most stacked infields in recent baseball history, and they have enough prospects to pull off a deal without giving away tons of top talent. Keibert Ruiz is still one of the best catching prospects in all of baseball, but the emergence of Will Smith has made getting to the majors with LA difficult for him. Ruiz and electric right-handed starter/reliever Tony Gonsolin would be enough for the Royals to part ways with one of the best infielders in the game.