Kansas City Royals Make Trade With Athletics During Spring Training
· Yahoo Sports
The Kansas City Royals continued shaping their pitching depth during spring training with a notable move involving the Athletics. With injuries already affecting parts of the 40‑man roster, Kansas City prioritized flexibility and experience in a deal that could quietly impact the back end of the rotation and bullpen throughout the 2026 season.
The Royals officially announced the transaction on social media on Thursday. “We have acquired RHP Mitch Spence from the Athletics in exchange for RHP AJ Causey. In a corresponding move, RHP Alec Marsh has been placed on the 60‑day Injured List,” the club wrote on X.
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We have acquired RHP Mitch Spence from the Athletics in exchange for RHP AJ Causey.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 12, 2026
In a corresponding move, RHP Alec Marsh has been placed on the 60-day Injured List.
Spence’s versatility is why he quickly became an attractive target once he was designated for assignment earlier in the week. The 27‑year‑old did not stay available for long. Originally selected as a Rule 5 pick from the New York Yankees prior to the 2024 season, Spence emerged as a steady presence for the Athletics during his first full big‑league campaign.
In 2024 as a rookie, he logged 151 1/3 innings across 35 appearances, including 24 starts, posting a 4.58 ERA. While he was never a big strikeout arm, he consistently limited walks and generated ground balls, traits that appeal to a club emphasizing contact management and pitching efficiency. Last season, Spence shifted into more of a hybrid role. He made 32 appearances, primarily out of the bullpen, though he did briefly return to the rotation. His 5.10 ERA, along with home run issues, led to a midseason demotion.
Kansas City’s motivation to make this move becomes even clearer when factoring in relief pitcher Alec Marsh’s situation. Marsh underwent surgery in November and is expected to miss the entire 2026 season, making his placement on the 60‑day injured list largely procedural but necessary to clear space.
With that vacancy, Spence now slots in as a depth option behind a fairly established rotation and could compete for a swingman role. His ability to move between starting and relieving gives the coaching staff flexibility depending on matchups and workload management.
In exchange, the Royals sent minor league right‑hander AJ Causey to the Athletics. A fifth‑round pick in 2024, Causey impressed during his first professional season.
For the Royals, the move reinforces a clear spring training priority: protecting pitching depth. With injuries already testing the roster, adding a flexible arm like Spence provides insurance and gives the organization options as it prepares for the long grind of the season.