Yankees should trade for playoff pest infielder after KC Royals' offseason shuffle

In mid-November, the Kansas City Royals ostensibly got the offseason started by trading pitching depth (Brady Singer) for a slugging second baseman (Jonathan India), choosing to act first and ask questions later. Now, the Yankees have the chance to turn themselves into an answer to one of the most pressing questions that move conjured up.

While India could technically float around in Kansas City, he's played nothing but second base and DH to date in his four-year MLB career so far. Instead of making the 2021 Rookie of the Year uncomfortable in his new home, the Royals likely plan to displace Michael Massey and float him around the diamond. That's where the Yankees should stick their nose in the proceedings, coercing KC to deal them a player who'd fit better in their home stadium anyway.

And, remember, that home-field dimensional advantage counts for six extra games this year, given that the Rays now play their home games in a replica of the old ballpark in the Bronx.

Though the series lasted only four games, Massey was a tremendous thorn in the Yankees' side in this past October's ALDS. Imagine having that type of speedy agitator with surprising pop wearing pinstripes instead? He'd be exactly what the "contact, not power" Yankees fans have been preaching about for years -- except, conveniently, he'd also bring 20-homer pop to the Bronx.

Yankees should swing KC Royals trade for Michael Massey after Jonathan India deal

In last year's playoff matchup, Massey hid himself at the bottom of the Royals' lineup, hitting .267 with a pair of walks and a RBI in the series (after going 3-for-8 in dispatching Baltimore, appreciate that).

He's now entering his age-27 season after posting the first above-average offensive season of his three-year career last year, notching a 105 OPS+ while occupying second base exclusively, as well as logging DH reps. The Yankees, in need of athletes across the diamond, would be acquiring sturdy lefty pop in Massey -- though, surprisingly, he doesn't run at all, stealing only a single base last season. He'll have to work on his chase rates, too, but give Massey credit; when he swings in the zone, he rarely whiffs, ranking in the 86th percentile (and 84th, in terms of K percentage).

Bottom line? If the Yankees upgrade their infield before spring training, it'll likely come through the trade market rather than free agency. And if they want to avoid said "upgrade" being Nolan Arenado, they'll probably have to get creative.

Massey, disrupted from his normal role in Kansas City but free to return to it in the Bronx, might prefer the Yankees get creative in his general direction -- especially after he sees that porch.