KC Royals Rumors: Evaluating The Pitching Trade Targets

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Jul 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) takes the ball to relieve starting pitcher Danny Duffy (41) in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

KC Royals general manager Dayton Moore is determined to help his club at the trade deadline, unless the Royals completely collapse before August 1. Here is a look at the top trade targets to help the starting rotation.

Moore has already said he’s determined to help out his team, according to MLB network insider Ken Rosenthal. The most obvious need for the Kansas City Royals is another reliable starting pitcher. The no. 5 spot in the rotation has been a disaster area all season, with Chris Young, Dillon Gee, and Brian Flynn all getting chances to seize the role.

So far, the starting pitchers have accumulated an aggregate 5.01 ERA, which is nothing short of awful. With the KC Royals bullpen not as reliable in past seasons due to their inability to find a third dominant reliever, the bullpen can’t make up for the poor starting pitching. These pitching shortcomings are one of the big reasons that the Kansas City Royals stand a mediocre 47-47 and 9.0 games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central.

The situation is also getting worse. The KC Royals are a miserable 5-11 in the month of July. They have just lost two straight series to division rivals Detroit and Cleveland to begin the second half. The Kansas City Royals look weaker instead of stronger as the stretch run approaches.

Occasionally, we see some late-game magic from the KC Royals that reminds us of their playoff heroics from last October. But, the weight of injuries and disappointing performances from the starting rotation have been too much to overcome so far. Earlier in the season, the Kansas City Royals held back mediocrity by intermittently catching fire.

In the month of July, their will looks burnt out.

Something needs to change, or the KC Royals won’t return to the playoffs in the 2016 season. That result would be unfortunate, since the Kansas City Royals roster is filled with players who know how to win big games. If Dayton Moore can coax a final rush from his tired warhorses, they just might win the darn thing if they can just stay in the race as the finish line comes into sight.

The following pitchers are the most likely pieces available to help the KC Royals at the trade deadline:

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