Over the summer, the Kansas City Royals have had many ups and downs in their season and also have acquired new players from the Major League Baseball trade.

As of Aug. 13, the Royals were third in the American League, just behind the Minnesota Twins.

At that point, the Royals had won 59 games and lost 58, compared to the Twins who had won 59 and lost 57.

The Royals had a nine-game winning streak at the end of July that boosted them up to second place. But, in the beginning of August they had seven-game losing streak that brought them down to third place.

After the trade deadline on July 31, the Royals acquired Melky Cabrera from the Chicago White Sox, who played for the Royals in 2011.

Cabrera is an outfielder and has a batting average of .297. On Aug. 12, against the White Sox, Cabrera hit a game-winning two run homer.

They also received Trevor Cahill from the trade, who is a pitcher from the San Diego Padres. His debut for the Royals was July 29.

He allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in four innings.

The Padres also traded Ryan Buchter to the Royals.

Buchter is a left-handed pitcher and will be a relief pitcher that will come in at the end of the game.

While it is hard to say if the Royals have good chances for the playoffs, if their new players continue stepping up for the team, it may be in their future.