Kansas City Royals Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction
The American League's best team might call Kansas City home, but the Royals are far from a finished product.
Whether it's bolstering a starting rotation that has been mediocre at best while dealing with multiple injuries or adding another outfielder in the wake of Alex Gordon's strained groin, there are a number of areas that general manager Dayton Moore could look to bolster as the trade deadline draws near.
As trade chatter surrounding the team picks up, keep it here for the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the Royals, as well as analysis and everything else that comes with it.
While the post date on this tracker will always show as July 15, simply click to the next slide to see the latest from the rumor mill as the Royals look to solidify their lead in the AL Central and prepare for another deep playoff run.
Done Deals
July 26: Acquired RHP Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for LHPs Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed (Analysis)
July 28: Acquired UT Ben Zobrist from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for LHP Sean Manaea and RHP Aaron Brooks
July 30: Traded RHP Joe Blanton to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations
July 28: Traded for IF/OF Ben Zobrist
Giving up one of the team's top prospects in Sean Manaea for a short-term rental stings a bit, but Ben Zobrist, like Johnny Cueto, is just about a perfect fit for Kansas City's needs.
He provides the Royals with a full-time option in left field while Alex Gordon works his way back from a groin injury, and upon Gordon's return, becomes a massive upgrade at second base for Omar Infante, who despite his near-selection to the American League All-Star team, has been a disappointment.
Zobrist's ability to get on base consistently (.354 OBP in 2015 and for his career) will help to elevate Kansas City's lineup, though it will be interesting to see where skipper Ned Yost decides to slot him, given Mike Moustakas' success this year hitting second.
A free agent after the season, it's entirely possible that the Royals might look to extend him before he hits the open market.
Royals Have Targeted Miami's Martin Prado
With Ben Zobrist now in a Royals uniform, Martin Prado obviously is no longer being pursued.
--End of Update--
Sunday, July 26 at 9:31 p.m. ET
With its rotation solidified, Kansas City has turned its attention to shoring up the lineup and have their sights set on Miami's Martin Prado, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi, though the Marlins would have to pick up some of the $16 million left on his deal, which runs through 2016.
Prado's versatility—he can play three infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base) as well as left field would give skipper Ned Yost options, but chances are he'd supplant Omar Infante as the team's starting second baseman.
July 26: Traded for RHP Johnny Cueto
As far as trade deadline additions go, they don't get much better than Kansas City winding up with the best pitcher available, former Cincinnati ace Johnny Cueto.
An ace in every sense of the word, perhaps the most important thing for the Royals—aside from his ability to completely shut down the opposition whenever he's on the mound—is that he's an innings eater. For a starting rotation that has logged fewer innings than every team except Colorado, that's huge.
Sure, it stings to trade away three quality young arms for a short-term rental—nobody's going to pretend that there's even a chance that Cueto will re-sign in Kansas City after the season. He's earned one of those $200 million mega-deals, and he knows it.
Kansas City has sent a message to the rest of baseball, and it's that they learned their lesson last October. They plan on being the last team standing this time.
Could Yovani Gallardo Be the Front-Line Starter the Royals Need?
Wednesday, July 22 at 6:01 p.m. ET
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman lists Kansas City, along with Houston, Los Angeles (NL) and Toronto as the most likely landing spots for Texas starter Yovani Gallardo, who is expected to be traded.
Gallardo, 29, has performed admirably for Texas, posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 117.1 innings of work, but per Heyman, plans on testing the free agent market after the season, making him expendable for a Rangers club that has all but fallen out of the playoff picture.
Could Justin Upton Become a Royal?
Wednesday, July 15 at 12:56 p.m. ET
The Royals are one of three teams that ESPN's Jim Bowden says is pursuing a deal for San Diego left fielder Justin Upton, who can become a free agent at the end of the season.
Upton, 27, hasn't been the offensive powerhouse that the Padres hoped he'd be, as he entered the All-Star break with only five extra-base hits (two home runs) since June 1, a stretch that's seen him hit a woeful .180 (23-for-128).
That said, nobody disputes his natural abilities, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to get his swing back on track. Despite his horrid defense, he'd be a fine stopgap option in left field while Alex Gordon is on the disabled list, and I suppose the Royals could slide him over to right field after Gordon returns.
As for what the Padres might be looking for in exchange, shortstop prospect Raul Mondesi is sure to be at the top of their wish list, but there's no way the Royals would do such a swap.
Perhaps if the deal were expanded to include one of San Diego's starting pitchers—Tyson Ross, specifically—then Kansas City might give more thought to trading Mondesi.
The Royals Are Looking for Outfield Help
Kansas City is among the teams looking for outfield help, tweets CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, which is no surprise given Alex Gordon's extended absence due to injury.
While no names were mentioned, chances are that the Royals are looking for more of a platoon option/fourth outfielder than an everyday player, as Gordon is going to get his job back once he's healthy enough to return.
Taking a look at teams that we know will be selling, one name that Royals fans are familiar with stands out as a possibility—the Philadelphia Phillies' Jeff Francoeur, who spent parts of three seasons in Kansas City (2011-13), hitting .254 with a .715 OPS.
Primarily a right fielder over the course of his career, he has played some left field, isn't going to cost anything substantial to obtain and already has some relationships built up with current members of the club, which would make him a good clubhouse fit.