It’s amazing how the fates of major-league baseball players sometimes are intertwined.
For example, the Royals brought up second baseman Whit Merrifield on May 18, 2016, and nearly 15 months later he’s proved to be an integral part of the team.
To make room for Merrifield on their 40-man roster, the Royals designated outfielder Jose Martinez for assignment.
Any team could have contacted the Royals about a trade, but the St. Louis Cardinals made the best offer. Cash. They sent the Royals money for Martinez, who had won the 2015 Pacific Coast League’s batting title with a .