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Willingham can replace injured bats

Traded to the Royals, the thrill of a pennant chase may invigorate Josh Willingham at the dish. Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Josh Willingham bashed 35 home runs for the 2012 Minnesota Twins, while also drawing 76 walks, and while it might not seem clear, those skills remain. Sure, Willingham hasn't been able to hit for average or stay healthy since, but the intriguing Monday trade that landed him with the first-place Kansas City Royals -- hey, they're ahead of the Detroit Tigers now! -- certainly ups his fantasy value and should remind owners that this is a potentially valuable asset.