Should the Royals Trade Kyle Isbel?

The Kansas City Royals will have a decision to make this offseason on their impacted fielder room consisting of pieces that often failed to deliver at the plate and sometimes on the defensive end.

Out of all the Royals that struggled was center fielder Kyle Isbel. The 29-year-old wrapped up the season with an underwhelming .224 hitting average and .591 OPS. He also drove in just 24 runs through 100 games played.

With that, general manager J.J. Picollo must consider if Isbel's seven outs above average are still enough for him to have a spot on the team going forward.

Outfielders with solid defense don't grow on trees but Isbel struck out 74 times this season, recording an alarming 35.7% chase rate. His biggest Achilles heel would be lefties who he only slashed .153/.176/.222 against. 

Isbel fared better against righties, hitting .248 and logging a .652 OPS. Still, he has yet to show an ability to hit for power, only launching six homers this season. 

Losing Isbel's glove would certainly sting, however, Kansas City can't afford to be hamstrung by poor showings in the batter's box. Given the rise of Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen as well as the consistency of star Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals have too much talent to be basement dwellers in the AL Central right now.

As a result, Picollo would be wise to see what he can fetch for Isbel. With him still being under team control through 2027, Isbel could garner a decent return from a contending club in need of outfield help.

Furthermore, Isbel went 2-for-4 in the Royals' 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians in their season finale. That afternoon was indicative that he could excel in the right situation, perhaps not in a Royals uniform.

Trading Isbel would create more opportunities for guys like John Rave and Tyler Tolbert. The latter batted an impressive .285 through 80 games of action while his shiftiness on the basepaths stood out as he stole 22 bases this year. Meanwhile, Rave hit .232 and drove in 13 runs.

The Royals might also hope for a resurgence from Isaac Collins who only slashed .213/.320/.321 in close to a full season of action. Even then, both Isbel and Collins turning 30 next year doesn't bode well for either player's trajectory.

While the future state of baseball is decided in the coming months, Isbel will have to work hard on his swing to not only boost his chances of remaining in Kansas City but also his stock for playoff teams.