HUNTER HARVEY HEADS TO KC
The Kansas City Royals acquired pitcher Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals for infielder Cayden Wallace and a competitive balance round A draft pick in 2024 (No. 39 overall).
What does it give the Kansas City Royals
In Harvey, the Royals bring in an experienced setup man. The right-hander is having a slightly down year statistically, but he is still among the league leaders in holds. He should immediately slot into a high-leverage role with Kansas City. With a strong showing, he could even challenge current closer James McArthur for save opportunities.
What does it give the Washington Nationals
The Nationals lose a quality late-inning arm in Harvey, but they were able to bring in a draft pick and a decent prospect. Wallace, 22, was a second-round draft pick of the Royals in 2022. An infielder with promising tools, he has worked his way up to Double-A ball and is now another young player to watch for in Washington's organization.
Fantasy impact
The trade only boosts Harvey's fantasy value, as he should see even more hold (and possibly save) opportunities with the Royals. Dylan Floro and Derek Law could now be in line for more holds in Washington, too. Meanwhile, Wallace is still a ways away from making his MLB debut. His development could be worth monitoring, especially if he begins to thrive with his new organization.
