Kansas City Royals: Making Predictions for the Team’s Second Half

As the Kansas City Royals look to challenge Cleveland in the second half some reinforcements are clearly needed. With Nate Karns seemingly on the verge of season ending surgery, there is a spot that needs solidified in the rotation.

That brings us to a deal that has all the dots needed to connect:

The Kansas City Royals will acquire SP Lance Lynn from the St. Louis Cardinals

Lynn is not the sexiest name that could potentially move by the deadline. In fact I’m not even what you would consider “excited” about this possibility. However, as I have wrestled with this idea the last few days I have at least warmed to its potential.

Lynn will not require a long term financial commitment. He is set for free agency at the end of the year. That is a positive as it keeps money open to put into retaining say…Lorenzo Cain.

He would also slot in nicely into the number three spot in the rotation behind Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas. His 3.61 ERA in 102.1 IP would push Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel to the four and five spots. While people where high on the rotation at the beginning of the year, this result should be even more inspiring.

A Kelvin Herrera plus a Bubba Starling type prospect should get the deal done. It addresses needs the cross-state team has without completely wiping out the pipeline. While this seems like a realistic approach, let’s get a little crazy. Fair warning you are not going to like this.