Monday evening the Washington Nationals boldly traded prospects Blake Perkins, Kelvin Gutierrez and Yohanse Morel to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for 2-time All-Star reliever RHP Kelvin Herrera.  In addition Washington will absorb the remainder of Herrera’s contract, approximately $4.5 million this season.

The 28-year-old Herrera has been one of the best relief pitchers in the American League this decade, providing the Royals with a 2.75 ERA over 441.1 innings pitched, with 438 strikeouts against 371 hits and 128 walks, along with 57 saves.  After a subpar 2017, this season Herrera has been terrific, posting a 1.05 ERA with 14 saves for Kansas City in 25.2 innings.

Herrera features a 3-pitch repertoire, including a 96-98mph fastball, low-80s slider and upper-80s changeup.  Herrera does all the things a good relief pitcher does, he limits his walks (career 2.61 BB/9), hits (7.6 H/9) and home runs (career 0.73 HR/9) allowed, while striking out nearly a batter per inning (career 8.93 K/9).  Herrera is earning $7,937,500 in 2018 and will be a free agent at the end of the season.  He should immediate work as the primary set-up man ahead of closer Sean Doolittle and shift Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler into middle relief.

In exchange for Herrera Washington parted with three intriguing prospects, beginning with 21-year-old CF Blake Perkins.  Washington’s 2^nd round pick in 2015, Perkins is a lean 6’1” 165lbs switch-hitting, right-handed throwing outfielder with easy plus speed.  Defensively Perkins is a terrific center fielder, utilizing his speed and long strides to effortlessly track the baseball.  He has a solid-average arm and outstanding instincts, allowing him to profile as a “60” defender.

Offensively Perkins has solid bat speed from both sides of the plate and understands his role as a table-setter in the lineup.  His swing, both lefty and righty, is a bit long and will need to decrease in order to make more contact.  Perkins needs to add strength and improve his balance at the plate, but with repetition, he could develop into an average hitter with occasional home run power.  Perkins has two plus tools and projects as a defensive-oriented 4^th outfielder, with a ceiling as a below-average starter in center field.

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Kelvin Gutierrez was signed for $30,000 as an international free agent in 2013.  The 23-year-old Gutierrez has an impressive 6’3” 185lbs frame along with fringe-average speed.  Defensively Gutierrez profiles as a plus defender at the hot corner due to his  soft hands, solid first-step quickness and plus arm.  At the plate Gutierrez has impressive bat speed and shows raw power in batting practice, but it has yet to translate into game action.  He barrels the baseball well and there is loft in his swing, so scouts project him to add power in the future.  Gutierrez has a ceiling as a league-average starting third baseman if the power develops, with the likely outcome being a bench player or Quad-A 3B.

Kansas City will also receive 17-year-old RHP Yohanse Morel, a live-armed 6’0” 170lbs Dominican prospect Washington signed last July 2^nd.  Morel has made one appearance this season for Washington’s Dominican Summer League team, pitching 3.1 innings with 6 hits and 1 walk against 5 strikeouts.  Reports have him with low-90s fastball velocity and a developing slider.  Morel is an intriguing “flyer” for Kansas City to gamble on as the 3^rd player in the trade.

Kansas City and Washington made a rather traditional baseball trade, as the contending Nationals acquire an impending free agent to bolster their bullpen from the struggling Royals.  Kansas City did well to gather three prospects and eliminate more than $4 million in payroll for half a season of Herrera.  On the other hand, Herrera is a major addition to Washington’s relief corps, as he solidifies the 8^th inning and allows Kintzler to handle the 6^th, Madson to work the 7^th and Justin Miller to slot in as a righty specialist.

The timing of this deal seems slightly odd, as Herrera was potentially the top reliever available this summer and Washington does not appear to have “overpaid” in prospect currency.  Washington’s roster is significantly stronger today with Herrera and the team did not part with a premium prospect.  The Nationals still needs help at catcher and perhaps a lefty specialist, but this trade makes Washington a legitimate contender to win the National League this year.

NatsGM Grade ->             B+