KC Royals: 5 Potential Trade Targets for Yordano Ventura

Jun 8, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (54) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Potential Trade Target 3: Wei-Yin Chen

It seems as though the Marlins are always in the midst of a pseudo-rebuild and 2016 is no different. With the Marlins having essentially no chance of catching either the Nationals or the Mets, a trade with the Royals for Ventura may be something they would entertain.

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Chen Just recently inked a 5 year $80 million contract with the Marlins this year and I would guess he has some no-trade clause in his contract. But it usually isn’t contested when that player is being traded to a contender for the same money he just signed. Plus, given Chen’s contract size relative to Ventura, the Marlins may go in favor of player potential over cost.

As for KC, the Royals would be getting a reliable pitcher who pitched 191 innings in 2015 with an ERA of 3.34, and 185 innings in 2014 with and ERA of 2.54. Chen has an ERA in 2014 above 4 but his FIP is 3.85 and Miami doesn’t have the defense the Royals do.

The KC Royals may also get away with only giving up one top prospect in the trade due to Ventura’s team friendly contract. The likely hold up would be over the Kansas City Royals taking on a five-year contract bigger than the one Alex Gordon just signed, and asking the Marlins to eat part of that contract would cost more prospects.

The biggest problem with Chen is that he’s more of a number 3 or 4 pitcher (on a good staff) rather than a top of the rotation guy. He’s useful, but he’s not really a guy that can dominate in prime time. He’s probably not worth what he’d cost.

Likelihood Score (1-10): We give this one a 4.

Next: Potential Trade Target No. 4

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