The Kansas City Royals acquired several inexpensive bats on Saturday in an effort to add some offense during their postseason push.
Kansas City claimed outfielder Tommy Pham off waivers after he was designated for assignment. Though he hit just .206 with a .653 OPS with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pham has postseason experience that could be valuable to the Royals. In three playoff trips, including the Arizona Diamondbacks’ World Series last season, Pham has hit .313 with an .846 OPS, five doubles, six home runs and 10 RBIs.
“He makes you a better team with his intensity,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who is familiar with Pham during his two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. MLB.com“He comes here with one purpose every day, and that is to kick your ass.”
Also designated off waivers was Robbie Grossman, who was released by the Texas Rangers. Grossman hit .238 with a .638 OPS for Texas after being traded from the Chicago White Sox. He also brings playoff experience and a left-handed backup bat to the Royals’ roster. However, his performance in three playoff series has not been impressive, hitting .149 with a .428 OPS.
The third hitter Kansas City acquired Saturday was first baseman Yuli Gurriel from the Atlanta Braves organization. Gurriel, an eight-year veteran, had not played in MLB this season but hit . 292 with an . 863 OPS, 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBIs and 11 stolen bases for the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.
Again, playoff experience could be an advantage here. Gurriel has played in seven postseasons with the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins. He has a .266 postseason batting average with a .709 OPS, 14 doubles, eight home runs and 39 RBIs.
Gurriel could end up being the most important acquisition of the three hitters after Kansas City lost first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino last week to a potentially season-ending thumb fracture. Pasquantino was the Royals’ third-highest homer with 19, along with a .262 batting average, .760 OPS, 30 doubles and 97 RBIs. Several players, including Salvador Perez, are expected to contribute at the position.
Tommy Pham thanks his former team for giving him the opportunity to join a contending team: “I’m thankful that the Cardinals granted my request to be placed on waivers so this could happen. All in all, they did me a good deed.” #Royalty image.twitter.com/lEvO7Kuh3a
— Bally Kansas City Sports (@BallySportsKC) September 1, 2024
Both were selected from among the cheapest players in MLB, so they are not expected to have a significant impact on the Royals’ lineup. They could provide a small boost, however. Kansas City’s outfielders and designated hitters hit just . 221 with a . 665 OPS, one of the lowest in MLB.
All three players were signed before the Sept. 1 deadline for postseason eligibility. And the Royals are in position to make the playoffs, just 2 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. They also currently hold the second AL wild-card playoff spot, one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins and 3 1/2 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox.
Pham and Gurriel were in the Royals’ starting lineup for their matchup with the Astros on Sunday.
