(Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
Over 60 years have passed since the Philadelphia Athletics’ move to Kansas City forced the Yankees to shift their KC minor league club to Denver. The changes didn’t disrupt player movement between New York and Kansas City, though, as the A’s engaged in a series of trades infamously favorable to the Yanks. But when Charlie Finley moved his Athletics to Oakland and the KC Royals replaced them, the Yankee-friendly pipeline ended.
That doesn’t mean the franchises won’t do business. The results just aren’t lopsided anymore. In fact, the Yankees might be scrutinizing a few Royals when the teams begin a three-game series Tuesday night in the Bronx—New York is still contending while Kansas City looks more and more like a seller as the July 30 trade deadline nears.