KC Royals: Five Players the Royals Could Sell at the Trade Deadline

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Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals owner David Glass (left) with general manager Dayton Moore (right) before game six of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

The KC Royals are locked in a battle for 1st place in the AL Central Division and as of Right now are only 1.5 Games out of First. But should things between now and the beginning of August change, the KC Royals may look at moving some players to re-stock the farm system and shed salary.

The KC Royals have shown that not only can they rip-off long winning streaks, they can also rip-off long losing streaks. So far this year the KC Royals have had losing streaks of 8 games, 5 games and 3 games. Their longest winning streak so far has been 6 games. So it appears right now that this version of the Royals is the text-book definition of streaky.

The 2016 KC Royals have also battled injuries, and currently have 3 recent AAA Storm Chasers playing prominent roles on the roster. Brett Eibner, Cheslor Cuthbert, Whit Merrifield, and Ray Fuentes have all contributed to the MLB Royals this year due to either injury, or ineptitude. Utility man Christian Colon has also started several games for the Royals this year over recently DFA’D Omar Infante.

The infusion of youth on the KC Royals roster is a good thing in the long run. It shows that behind the current team there are potential future stars who have waited their turn, and have matured in the minors. But, we have seen many times with KC and other MLB clubs that young players can start off hot, until the league catches up and then the growing pains start.

As good as Lorenzo Cain, Moustakas, Hosmer, and Salvy have become, we all know they had their slumps in the past. For all four of them, the slumps came after some initial success at the big league level. The point here is, things are going along OK right now, but they could fall apart in a hurry, and if they do, here are 5 potential players the KC Royals could move to re-stock the farm for 2017 and beyond.

Next: Trade Bait No. 1

1) Kendrys Morales

Kendrys Morales is having a difficult year with the KC Royals. in 2015, Morales slashed .290/.362/.489. Morales hit 22 dingers as well and drove in 106 runs. He was also clutch having a batting average of .335 with runners in scoring position.

2) Edinson Volquez

Steady Eddie Volquez has been the most reliable KC Royals pitcher over the last two years and was a key part of the 2015 World Series Win. In 2015 Volquez pitched just over 200 innings, started two world series games, with one of them coming on the heels of his father passing away. It was one of the gutsiest performances I have ever seen in sports.

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Volquez’s numbers in 2015 were solid with a 3.55 ERA, a FIP of 3.85, and a WHIP of 1.308. He was the staff ace on the KC Royals, and would have had a home on pretty much any other staff as at least a solid #3. Volquez has been almost as effective in 2016. His ERA and FIP is up a bit due to a few bad starts but as of now Volquez has an ERA of 3.9.

As everyone knows, mutual options are rarely ever exercised so it is likely if Volquez has a good year, he will go to free agency and if it is a down year, the KC Royals would not exercise their portion. Starting pitching is ALWAYS at a premium at the trade deadline, and Volquez would get a lot of attention. Essentially Volquez would be a rental since he is in the 2nd year of a 2 year deal with a mutual option for a 3rd year.

Moving Volquez would free up a spot for one of the young guns in AAA to get some MLB time, but mainly it would get back some of what was lost when the Royals traded for Cueto last year. I would expect a top prospect in return for the ability to rent Volquez.

Next: Trade Bait No. 3

3) Luke Hochevar

His appearance on 6/16/2016 not withstanding, Luke Hochevar has been excellent out of the bullpen for the KC Royals. Another failed starter turned reliever, Hochevar had a 3.73 ERA in 49 appearances in 2015. Hochevar was a key arm out of the pen in the playoffs in 2015 and probably would have factored into the 2014 playoffs had he not been sidelined with an injury.

4) Lorenzo Cain

Lorenzo Cain is one of the key KC Royals players and a massive contributor to the KC Royals success beginning in 2013. In 2013, Cain was worth 2.7 WAR. In 2014 Cain’s WAR increased to 4.9 and last year it hit 6.6!

As of right now, Cain is on pace to replicate his 2014 level of production which is still very good and valuable to not only the KC Royals, but just about any team in contention. Especially since Cain wouldn’t be a rental as he is signed through the end of the 2017 season.

Since Cain isn’t a rental, it would make some sense that the KC Royals keep him even if 2016 goes south since he would be certainly on the team in 2017. But there is one big reason why the KC Royals would/could consider moving Cain.

The reason is age. Cain is 30 yrs old this year and by the time he his un-restricted free agency, he will be entering his 32 year old season. That is about the same time that most aging curves begin to predict a decline. Also, Cain’s value is predicated in large part to speed in the outfield and on the bases, which is the 1st thing to go as a player ages.

Sure, Cain may be the next Tori Hunter who was a valuable player all the way up to 40 yrs old. But the odds are against it. Cain has also battled some injuries in his career, injuries that will surly pop back up as his age advances. After all, there is a reason KC opted not to give him a long term deal even though Cain was requesting one.

The other thing is, it is unlikely that the Royals will be able to sign the entire core at the conclusion of the 2017 season when they all hit free agency. Moving Cain in 2016, if the Royals are out of it, would not only bring in a sizable haul of prospects, but it would free up some cash to sign the much younger players such as Hosmer and Moustakas.

Look, I know Cain is a fan favorite and one heck of a CF, but real soon we are going to have to face the fact that some of the team we love right now is going to have to move on.

Next: Trade Bait No. 5

5) Wade Davis

Wade Davis has had video game like stats since the KC Royals moved him into the bullpen. 1.0, 0.94, 1.11, those are Davis’s ERA’s in 2014, 2015, and now in 2016. The man is just a flat out ridiculous bullpen arm that smashes the hopes of opponents and their fans of a comeback when he enters the game.