Kansas City Royals: Looking at Potential Trade Partners

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Should the Kansas City Royals make a trade to either bolster the lineup or the starting rotation? Or should the Royals just stand pat, hoping that the rotation is truly on the right path and that Omar Infante can start to produce like the player the Royals thought they were getting when they signed him to that four year contract? It is certainly a hot topic of debate.

Of course, what is lost in this debate is whether or not another team either has something that the Royals would need, or if the Royals have something that they would need. Likewise, with the advent of the second Wild Card, there are not nearly as many teams that would be considered sellers as in years past. More teams feel as though they have a chance, driving up the prices of those available players. It is, indeed, a seller’s market.

But what of those teams that one has to imagine to be sellers at this point? Teams like the Philadelphia Phillies have essentially had the ‘For Sale’ sign up since Spring Training, while other teams just have not had the type of season they expected. At this point, there are a few teams that may have moving vans lined up and waiting at the clubhouse, just in case a deal comes down the pipeline.

Are any of those teams a match for the Kansas City Royals? Let us take a look at each of the expected sellers at the trade deadline and see what they have to offer.

Next: Selling everything but the Liberty Bell

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Philadelphia Phillies

It is well known that the Phillies are in fire sale mode. Ruben Amaro Jr. has been trying to unload Ryan Howard on anyone that will pick up the telephone, and is willing to pick up a large piece of that contract. Amaro has also been attempting to trade Cole Hamels, a legitimate ace and a pitcher than any team would love to have, but he wants virtually everything in a team’s farm system for Hamels. Obviously, neither would seem to be much of an option for the Kansas City Royals.

However, that does not mean that the Phillies do not have anything the Royals would be interested in. To the contrary, there may well be a starting pitcher that could pique the Royals interest. 37 year old Aaron Harang, signed to a one year, $5 Million contract this past January, has arguably been the Phillies best pitcher, posting a 4-5 record with a 2.02 ERA and a 0.995 WHiP. Even at age 37, those numbers will garner attention.

Chances are, it would not take much to pry Harang from the Phillies. Even a middle tier prospect would likely be a better return on their investment than one would expect. However, this is Ruben Amaro Jr. that we are talking about, so he will either insanely overvalue Harang or trade him for one of the leftover bottles of Billy Butler‘s Barbecue Sauce.

Likewise, unless Harang has begun using Roger Clemens‘ “training regiment,” pulling tractors with his teeth and growing a third eye, it is highly unlikely that he will continue at this pace. In his career, Harang has been exactly league average, posting a 4.14 ERA and a 1.345 WHiP. That is not much different than Jeremy Guthrie‘s career marks.

Aaron Harang may look like an upgrade for the Kansas City Royals, but historically, he is not much better than what they already have. Let us pass on Philadelphia and let someone else make that call.

Next: To the land of beer and bratwurst

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Milwaukee Brewers

If the Kansas City Royals are going to be looking for pitching help beyond this season, the Brewers may be the team to speak with. Having already parted with Yovani Gallardo at the start of the season, the Brewers are also reportedly looking to trade both Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza. Interesting.

Looking at their performances this season, neither would appear to be much of an upgrade for the Royals rotation. Lohse has produced a 6.50 ERA along with a 1.380 WHiP. Garza has a better ERA, coming in at 5.52, but has a 1.532 WHiP. Neither would seemingly inspire confidence.

The thought is that getting either pitcher away from Milwaukee could resurrect their careers. There is something to be said for players who need a change of scenery to thrive, and both Garza and Lohse could well be in that category. It may not even take much to pry them from the Brewers to find out.

Lohse may be a more reasonable gamble, as he is only signed through this season and is earning $11 Million. Trading for him would not cripple the Royals payroll. Garza, however, is signed through 2017 for another $25 Million, with a vesting option for 2018 at $13 Million. That vesting option can be a team option at $5 Million if Garza pitches in 110 games in the first four years, is not on the disabled list at the end of 2017 and pitches at least 115 innings that year. Is Garza worth the gamble?

If the Kansas City Royals look to add a starting pitcher, Kyle Lohse may be a solid option. It may not even cost the Royals that much to find out if he truly needs a change of scenery.

Next: Cincy is seeing red

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Cincinnati Reds

Most of the focus, when it comes to possible trades with the Cincinnati Reds, will be on Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman. It is certainly understandable as to why that would be the case; Cueto is one of the best pitchers in baseball and is a free agent after this season, while Chapman, despite having one more year of team control, is going to be quite expensive in his final arbitration year. Yet, the Reds could get quite the haul for either player.

While Cueto may cost a lot more than the Kansas City Royals would be willing to trade, the Reds may well have a starting pitcher that would be the upgrade the rotation needs. Mike Leake may not attract the same amount of attention as either Cueto or Chapman, but he could be an interesting pitcher for the Royals to watch.

Leake has struggled this season, posting a 4.40 ERA despite a 1.228 WHiP. A ground ball specialist, Leake only has 43 strikeouts in 72.1 innings this season. However, that is offset by the mere 22 walks he has allowed, as Leake pitches to contact and looks to his defense, a strategy that would work well in Kansas City.

Interestingly, for a ground ball specialist, Leake has had difficulty keeping the ball in the yard. Despite allowing a fly ball on 27.5% of balls put in play, he has allowed twelve home runs. One has to imagine that a move to Kauffman Stadium would change that home run rate.

In terms of a possible low cost rental, Mike Leake could be a nice addition to the middle of the Kansas City Royals rotation. In fact, the Royals could be a perfect fit for Leake.

Next: Success proved to be a fish tale

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Miami Marlins

At the start of the season, it appeared as though the Miami Marlins were destined to contend for the playoffs. Jeffrey Loria, who has been able to make the tight fisted David Glass of the mid 2000’s seem like George Steinbrenner, actually spent money to upgrade the team, make trades and sign free agents. A solid season appeared to be in the cards for the Marlins.

Instead, they have floundered this season, struggling with injuries and ineffectiveness. While Loria and the Marlins may not be willing to undergo yet another fire sale, they may be willing to part with players not considered a part of the long term of the franchise. However, a pitcher like Dan Haren, who is under contract through this season, may be on the trading block.

Haren, a solid pitcher for much of his career, has easily been the best pitcher on the Marlins this season. Despite pitching for a team that is ten games under .500, Haren has a 6-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.074 WHiP. He may no longer be the strikeout pitcher he was back in his days with the Oakland A’s, but Haren has still proven to be quite effective.

A free agent after this season, Haren could be the type of piece that could truly help the Royals rotation. While he may cost more to acquire than a pitcher like Kyle Lohse or Mike Leake, he may be the best option available that would not cost the Royals several top prospects.

Dan Haren may not be the most exciting pitcher that the Kansas City Royals could acquire, but he may be their best option. If he comes available, Dayton Moore should pick up the phone.

Next: Could an enemy help a playoff push?

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Oakland A’s

When last we saw the Oakland A’s, Brett Lawrie had become Public Enemy #1 and Yordano Ventura and Kelvin Herrera were being ejected from the game. Yet, now, the A’s could actually be a possible trading partner for the Kansas City Royals as they look to shore up their starting rotation.

It could be that another part of that fracas could be available as well. Scott Kazmir, who set off another firestorm after hitting Lorenzo Cain in the foot, ccould be available at the trade deadline as the A’s look to find younger players to rebuild around.

When he has been on the mound, Kazmir has been excellent. His 2-3 record does not do justice to his 2.93 ERA or his 1.234 WHiP, numbers that make Kazmir quite the attractive trade piece. He has also struck out 57 batters in his 58.1 innings of work, as he has been able to get that key strikeout needed to escape trouble.

The trouble with Kazmir is that he is rather injury prone. He missed time this year with a shoulder injury, and has had elbow and hamstring woes during his career as well. While any pitcher may be considered a bit of an injury risk, Kazmir could be the ultimate boom or bust trade chip, capable of being that starter the Royals need, yet equally capable of getting injured two innings into his first start.

Scott Kazmir could help the Kansas City Royals, but he would also be a target that could flame out spectacularly. While he may be traded in the next couple of months, the Royals should focus elsewhere.

Next: Which trade partner makes sense?

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Obviously, with only two months down in the season, there are quite a few teams that still consider themselves to be in the playoff chase. While that will change in the coming months, these five teams appear to be the most likely sellers at this point, and may have even raised the white flag on the 2015 season.

Of the five teams profiled, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Miami Marlins may be the best targets for the Kansas City Royals to get help for the starting rotation. Kyle Lohse just seems to need a change of scenery, and pitching for a team contending for the postseason may be that boost he needs. Meanwhile, Dan Haren would be a solid veteran to slot atop the rotation, helping to ease the pressure upon Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura.

Over the past couple of weeks, it has become more and more apparent that the Royals need to make some sort of move to upgrade the roster. While there may be internal options for their problems at second base (free Christian Colon!!!), fixing the starting rotation may necessitate looking outside the organization. There are certainly a few attractive pieces available.

Which team do you think makes the most sense for the Kansas City Royals to look to as a trade partner? Let us know in the comments!

Next: Omar Infante Will Remain in Royals Lineup