Bleacher Report's top Royals trade asset should be almost untouchable this offseason

The Kansas City Royals need to take steps to compete for the division this offseason. Even though the 2026 season was disappointing, given how weak the AL Central currently is, they might not be as far away from contention as it may seem.

That's why during this offseason, the Royals shouldn't be making any major subtractions. They don't have the surplus at any single position to trade away a major asset, even if that asset could net the team a quality return of prospects or major league players. That means they can't listen to Bleacher Report about who their top trade asset is.

Zachary Rymer at Bleacher Report broke down every team's top trade asset heading into this offseason, and for the Royals, he chose Michael Wacha. His reasoning was that Wacha, while nearing the end of his career, threw over 200 innings with a 3.32 ERA and has one year left on his contract, plus a club option for 2028. Kansas City is in no position to move Wacha, though.

Michael Wacha is too important to the Royals' success to be trading him

The Royals are in need of starting rotation upgrades this winter, not trading away their top arm. Seth Lugo hasn't looked like the pitcher they signed in 2024; he has a combined 4.70 ERA across 2025 and 2026. Noah Cameron looks good, but hasn't established a track record yet for the team to put that much faith in him. Cole Ragans won't be back until mid-season. After that, there isn't anyone who has established themself as an everyday big leaguer.

The only way that the Royals should even consider trading Wacha is if they are blown out of the water with an offer. It would have to include a major league-ready starter with team control to offset the innings loss from trading him, plus high-level prospects. Not many teams would be willing to eat that trade cost for a 35-year-old.

Coming off the season he just had, while still on a very reasonable contract, Wacha does have a lot of trade value. If the righty is dealt and things go south for him in 2027, any team would be able to let him walk in the offseason. That alone would be very enticing to a lot of clubs. However, that should be much more enticing to Kansas City to keep Wacha around. The team just doesn't have the pitchers to replace the value he will provide next season.

The Royals are likely going to make trades this offseason; some may even include some major league players, but Wacha just can't be one of them. The Royals need him more than any other team at the moment, and they can't afford to trade him if they want to be competitive in 2027.

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