After suffering a disappointing 5-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, the Kansas City Royals wasted no time in addressing a crucial need by adding right-hander Hunter Harvey to their bullpen. The Royals acquired Harvey from the Washington Nationals in exchange for third baseman Cayden Wallace and their Competitive Balance A pick in the 2024 Draft.

The addition of Harvey is a significant move for the struggling Royals, who currently possess one of the worst bullpens in Major League Baseball, with a bullpen ERA of 4.30. Although Harvey's performance this year has been underwhelming, with a 4.20 ERA, his potential was showcased in the previous season when he concluded with an impressive 2.82 ERA in 57 games.

If Harvey can find more consistency and regain his previous form, he has the potential to be a valuable asset for the Royals. The timing of this trade could not be better, as the Royals find themselves one game behind the Red Sox, who currently hold the final American League wild-card spot.

It is worth noting that the Royals have the opportunity to retain Harvey for the 2025 season as an arbitration-eligible player. Currently earning a salary of $2.35 million, Harvey's acquisition provides the Royals with a cost-effective option to strengthen their bullpen.

The Red Sox, who secured a convincing victory over the Royals on Saturday, will face off against them once again in their last game before the MLB All-Star break on Sunday. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:35 p.m. ET and will be covered live on NESN.

The addition of Hunter Harvey to the Kansas City Royals' bullpen brings hope for improvement as they aim to reclaim their position in the playoff race. With the right-hander's potential and the urgency of the situation, Royals fans eagerly await to see how Harvey will contribute to their team's success.