Trade Rumors: Price too high on John Lackey, Royals in on Ian Kennedy
By John Viril
Jul 27, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey (41) smiles in the dugout during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The latest trade rumors from Jon Morosi of Fox Sports indicate the Kansas City Royals have balked at Boston’s asking price for starter John Lackey. However, The Kansas City Star’s Andy McCullough tweets that the Royals would still be interested if the Red Sox reduce their demands.
Royals inquired to Red Sox about John Lackey, but it appeared earlier today that KC was unlikely to meet the high asking price.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2014
The Royals, as mentioned yesterday, are still interested in John Lackey. Boston's demands are still considered too sizable. #TradeFDeadline
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 30, 2014
McCullough says the Red Sox want power arms in return for Lackey, but that the Royals put high value on their minor league pitching.
The Red Sox are said to be seeking a power arm in exchange for John Lackey, and the Royals prize theirs (Zimmer, Manaea, Almonte, etc).
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 30, 2014
Right now, it looks like the Royals and Red Sox are at an impasse on Lackey.
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Meanwhile, the Red Sox have scratched Jon Lester from his start on Thursday, anticipating a deal—though Kansas City has not been connected to Lester. The Royals continue their interest in San Diego’s Ian Kennedy, along with the Marlins, Pirates, and unidentified others according to Fox Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. The Padres, however, are not said to be sure they want to deal him.
Sources: Teams on #Padres' Kennedy include #Royals, #Pirates, #Marlins - and others. Not certain to be moved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2014
Though the Royals have been connected to numerous players at the deadline, GM Dayton Moore insists that the players on the current roster will have to pick it up if the team is to make a late run.
The Royals continue to kick tires in various markets (OF, SP, RP) but Moore stressed best hope for playoffs would have to come from within.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) July 30, 2014
I’m not exactly sure how we should take the above report. Either 1) the Royals are resigned to the fact they won’t be able to make a major upgrade at the deadline, or 2) Dayton Moore wanted to send a message to his peers that he’s not desperate to make a deal, probably with the aim of lowering asking prices that he considers too high.
Add it up, and it doesn’t look like anything major is brewing for tomorrow’s trade deadline.