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KC Royals News: Blanton Traded, Deadline Today

By Alec Tilson

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The Kansas City Royals approach the MLB Trade Deadline today, having already landed two quality players.

The KC Royals ended weeks of speculation when they traded for Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist this past week. They’ve since traded Joe Blanton to the Pirates (Source: ESPN.com), and the MLB non-waiver trade deadline is today at 3 p.m. CST.

Johnny Cueto is set to make his Royals debut tonight at Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays. He’ll enter with a 7-6 record, a 2.62 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP in 19 games started this season for the Reds. Cueto will match-up against righty Drew Hutchison, who owns a 5.42 ERA in 108 innings this year, but is somehow 9-2 in decisions.

Ben Zobrist made his Royals debut in left field last night. He went 0-for-4 and batted sixth in the lineup.

The Royals travel to Detroit for a three-game series beginning next Tuesday, then return to Kauffman stadium on August 7th for a 10-game home stand. Here’s the latest Royals links and news.

KC Royals News and Notes From Around FanSided

KC Royals Asked About David Price Before Dealing For Johnny Cueto [John Viril – Kings Of Kauffman]

"When you realize that Cueto has put up his numbers in the bandbox known as Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, the question becomes a bit more puzzling. Johnny Cueto’s 2.52 ERA in Cincinnati is significantly more impressive than David Price’s 2.69 ERA in Detroit."

KC Royals Lead The Way To The Elite Eight In KC Bracketology [Mike Norris – KC Kingdom]

"The KC Royals lead the way after Sweet 16 voting with three teams in the Elite Eight of the Top 64 KC Sports Seasons bracket."

What the Royals Gave Up For Johnny Cueto [Alec Tilson – KC Kingdom]

"The need for a front-line starter was clear and becoming more pronounced. The Royals moved to correct the course by landing arguably the best pitcher they’ve had since Zack Greinke. Arguable with respect to James Shields."

Royals May Not Be Done Upgrading Roster [David Hill – Kings Of Kauffman]

KC Royals Hunter Dozier Leads Naturals to Victory [Jen Nevius – Kings Of Kauffman]

Here’s some more KC Royals News and Notes From Around the Web

Pirates Make Deal For Veteran Joe Blanton [ESPN.com]

Blockbuster Johnny Cueto Trade Cements Royals as Heave AL Favorites [Jacob Shafer – Bleacher Report]

"So the deal is great news for Kansas City, which just plugged a leak. It’s also good for Cueto, who will enter a winning clubhouse and likely get another crack at October baseball.In three postseason starts with Cincinnati—one each in 2010, 2012 and 2013—Cueto is 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA and has never tasted action past the division series."

Royals Players Are Being Fined For Not Dropping Fetty Wap Lyrics In Interviews [David Auguste – ESPN]

"According to Kansas City Star writer Andy McCullough, Royals players are randomly slipping the numbers 1738 — one of the opening lyrics to Fetty’s smash hit “Trap Queen” — in interviews, with punitive action taken against those who fail to comply."

The Moore The Merrier: Dayton Lands Ben Zobrist, the Perfect Piece for the World-Series Hopeful Royals [Rany Jazayerli – Grantland]

"Because make no mistake: Like Cueto, Zobrist wasn’t acquired to help the Royals reach the postseason — something that, and please don’t burn me at the stake for saying this, is approaching a foregone conclusion. He was acquired to help them win in the postseason."

What Ben Zobrist Brings to the Royals [Kevin Ruprecht – Royals Review]

"Over his career, Zobrist has a 12.1 percent walk rate. This year, Zobrist has a 12.2 percent walk rate. Only Alex Gordon can best that walk rate, but he is injured now and not here. Zobrist immediately becomes the player with the best plate discipline. Again, only Alex Gordon can come even close to matching Zobrist’s miniscule rate of swinging at pitches outside the strike zone."

Next: KC Royals: World Series or Bust

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