Kansas City Royals: Edinson Volquez New Trade Centerpiece?

The Kansas City Royals have until 3 pm (CT) today to find a trade. With Wade Davis on the DL, the team may turn to starting pitcher Edinson Volquez as a new trade centerpiece.

The Kansas City Royals were in deep talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers over a big trade that would have sent Royals closer Wade Davis to LA for as many as five prospects. That trade was blown up at the last second when Davis got an MRI that revealed his second forearm strain in a month.

Now, with just hours left before the trade deadline, things look a little bleak.

While Davis is only on the 15-Day Disabled List, the outside concern is that he has an elbow problem, and now no team will give up a king’s ransom for him.

For the Royals, that means it is no longer worth trading him. So now they need to build around a new trade centerpiece…and that might be starting pitcher Edinson Volquez.

Plain and simple, Eddie Volquez is not going to fetch the same price that Wade Davis would have. However, the Royals still need to accumulate pieces for the future, without sacrificing too much of their current talent, and Volquez is now the best bet for that.

More from KC Kingdom

So far the biggest trade connection for Volquez has been the Houston Astros. The Astros are looking for starting pitchers that can be relied upon in the postseason. While Volquez has been having an off year, he does have extensive playoff experience with the Royals.

Houston is offering up a lot of their young talent as compensation to anyone who offers them a decent starter. Only two players have been called “untouchable”, Alex Bregman and Lance McCullers, but everyone else is on the board.

What the Kansas City Royals need right now is good pitching or an outfielder that can also slide into the DH role. Looking at what the Houston Astros have to offer, I’m putting my endorsement on outfielder Derek Fisher who has been tearing up the AA ranks. He brings speed and power to the plate, and the Royals could use a little of both.

The downside to this move though is that the Kansas City Royals are already hurting for pitching. Volquez and Yordano Ventura have both struggled this year, while offseason acquisition Ian Kennedy has been a disappointment.

Giving up Volquez could set the Royals back, despite his own struggles this season.

With Wade Davis out of the picture, it might be better for the team to simply withdraw from the trade market and start working on re-signing current players and setting their offseason plans into motion.

Starting pitching is at a premium in Major League Baseball right now, which is part of why the Royals could get a decent trade from Edinson Volquez. It’s tough to replace guys who can go six or seven innings every outing.

While Volquez isn’t going to be an ace for the staff, he can be a reliable starter when he’s on. That’s something the Royals need.

Next: Edinson Volquez Could Be Trade Bait

Hopefully, the Royals are able to put something together before today’s trade deadline. If not, they will have a very tough offseason trying to re-sign current starts Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain, while also trying to find the additional pieces they need to get back into competition with the rest of the league.

Home/Royals Rumors