Kansas City Royals Rumors: Billy Butler, Dee Gordon, Justin Maxwell, and Shaun Marcum

Aug 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Justin Maxwell (27) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Just because the winter meetings are finished it doesn’t mean the rumor mill has shut down. Here’s the latest about Billy Butler, Justin Maxwell, and Shaun Marcum.

MAXWELL FOR DEE GORDON DEAD

According to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, yesterday’s rumor that the Dodgers and Royals were discussion a possible Dee Gordon for Justin Maxwell swap was a false rumor.

Kansas City does have a glut of fourth outfielders they need to get sorted out and a trade is highly possible. But a deal with the Dodgers doesn’t make much sense since they already have four starting outfielders that they are trying whittle down themselves. It won’t be a surprise if Maxwell is traded, in fact it may be likely he gets traded, but a deal with Los Angeles makes and made no sense.

ROYALS INTERESTED IN SHAUN MARCUM

Shaun Marcum is trying to restart his career after missing most of last year with thoracic outlet syndrome. He is recovering well and the Royals are one of three known teams to have interest in Marcum.

Marcum, when healthy is a top of the rotation pitcher, but health has been an issue for him the last few years. Kansas City also has two hurdles with Marcum that have to be considered. First, they need someone reliable at the top of the rotation to push Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas, which is something Marcum could be if healthy. But the uncertainty of his health may not be worth the risk for the Royals.

Second, Marcum has stated in the past that he does not want to sign with his hometown Royals for personal reasons. He likes the anonymity that comes with not playing for the Royals while he is at home in KC, and wants to keep it that way. Given that there are two other teams interested in Marcum, landing him may be an issue.

BILLY BUTLER ON THE BLOCK?

It is beginning to look more and more like Billy Butler is going to be traded. Bob Dutton had a piece in the KC Star with a quote that went as follows:

"“Before too long,” a club official said, “the DH spot has to be a rotating position for us. It really does.”"

Butler has two years left on his contract and the clock is ticking on his optimal trade value. If the Royals are in a playoff race in the middle of the season then trading him at the deadline seems highly unlikely. So will the Royals wait until next offseason when he has just one year left on his contract and his value is even less?

Add in the comment about the Royals wanting to go to a roving DH, rumors from teams like the Blue Jays, and the return value Los Angeles received in the Mark Trumbo trade, and the stars appear to be aligning for a Country Breakfast trade at some point this offseason.