The Kansas City Royals reportedly acquired shortstop Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. Both teams are playing each other in Chicago, so DeJong won’t have to get on a plane to join his new organization. The Royals are the infielder’s fifth team in the last two seasons. The move is Kansas City’s third in the last 24 hours, with the club also acquiring pitchers Michael Lorenzen from the Texas Rangers and Lucas Erceg from the Oakland Athletics.
Paul DeJong is switching dugouts here at Guaranteed Rate Field, traded to the Royals, per a source.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 30, 2024
Royals Add Infield Depth In Trade With White Sox
DeJong joins the Royals after playing 102 games with the White Sox in 2024. He slashed .228/.275/.430, good for a .706 OPS. DeJong led Chicago with 18 home runs, his most since 2021. He has a 95 OPS+, lining up with some of the better-depth bats in the league. DeJong is batting .286 and slugging over .500 in the last week. His current campaign is already better than last year. DeJong struggled with a .207 average and .612 OPS in 112 games in 2023. He has appeared at shortstop and, at times, third base this season. DeJong joins superstar Bobby Witt Jr, Maikel Garcia, and Michael Massey to pad Kansas City’s middle infield group.
Paul DeJong hit that one 430 feet! 💪 pic.twitter.com/cmf7zWY9EW
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 28, 2024
DeJong began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent the first six and a half years of his career. He batted .233 and hit 115 homers in 698 contests in St. Louis. DeJong played for three teams in 2023, moving to the Toronto Blue Jays and then San Francisco Giants. He hasn’t played more than 115 games since 2019, a mark that he is on track to break this season.
The White Sox are in the midst of one of the worst campaigns in MLB history. Chicago is currently 27-82 and out of the race in the American League Central. The White Sox have already made moves, trading pitchers Erick Fedde and Michael Kopech, along with outfielder Tommy Pham, in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cardinals on Monday. Starter Garrett Crochet and star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. are other rumored names that could be dealt ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Main Photo Credits: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
