Royals Send MacDougal to the South Side

The Royals just completed a trade sending closer Mike MacDougal to the White Sox for LHP Tyler Lumsden and RHP Daniel Cortes. Lumsden is a 23-year-old, 6'4", 200-pound lefty. Tyler Lumsden was pitching for the White Sox AA team and is having a solid season. Lumsden has a 2.69 ERA in 123 2/3 IP with 40 walks and 72 strikeouts. His WHIP of 1.25 isn't bad and he's allowed only 9 HRs. Lumsden's fastball and slider are his main two pitches. Both have been rated as the top fastball and slider in the White Sox organization during the past two years. Lumsden's fastball sits in the low 90s but can reach the mid 90s. The key for Lumsden has been throwing strikes and he has shown good command at AA, averaging less than 3 walks per 9 innings. Lumsden will head to AA Wichita.

The second pitcher in the deal is Daniel Cortes. The 19-year-old righty is a big pitcher, measuring 6'5" and 205 lbs. Cortes has pitched for the White Sox low A club and done a good job. Cortes has a 4.01 ERA and 38 BBs to 96 K's in 107 2/3 IP. He's allowed just 6 HRs as well and has pitched much better as the season progressed. Cortes is mainly a sinker, slider pitcher, probably closest to a right-handed version of Brent Fisher. Cortes will surrogate the Burlington Bees' strong rotation of Cordier, Rosa, Nicoll, and Kniginyzky.

Overall, it looks like a good trade to me. The Royals badly need starting pitching depth and don't really need a closer at the moment. MacDougal's inconsistency and lengthy trips to the disabled list are good reasons to move him. I'm surprised Dayton Moore got as much for MacDougal as he did since MacDougal just got off the disabled list. Lumsden and Cortes' stock has risen with their good performances this season. Both have shown improved control this year and had success at a higher level. My only concern is putting Burgos in the closer role with no alternative if he struggles. Otherwise, it looks like a good deal for the Royals.