KC Royals: 5 Potential Trade Targets for Yordano Ventura

Potential Trade Target 2:  Drew Pomeranz

Pomeranz is a bit older at 27 1/2 and and in the first of his 3 years of arbitration with the Padres at 1.35 million meaning that the KC Royals would control his contract until the end of the 2018 season. Pomeranz has averaged just under 6 innings per start in 2016 which is just what the Royals need. He is also sporting a beautiful 2.22 ERA, striking out more than 10.5 hitters per nine innings, and stranding  A LOT of runners (80%).

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The Padres are not planning on contending in 2016 as evident by them trading James Shields recently, but an arm like Pomeranz is defiantly in their future plans.  Along with Ventura, the Padres are going to want at least one of the Royals top prospects such as Miguel Almonte or Ashe Russell, though Mondesi probably wouldn’t need to be included.

Pomeranz is along similar lines to Odrizzi where Pomeranz posted a 3.66 ERA in a full 2015 season with the A’s as both a reliever and a starter. He likely won’t maintain such a low ERA for the rest of the season, but he is again a solid #2 and would help the KC Royals win now.

The best part of Pomeranz is his impressive 10.5 K/9. His ability to miss bats suggest he will continue to perform up to his recent standards, even considering that he’s pitching in the National League where pitchers hit.

The best part of Pomeranz is the KC Royals could deal him after the 2017 season in the final year of his contract to recoup some prospects.

Likelihood Score (1-10): We give this one a 5.

Next: Trade Target No. 3