Royals Rumors: Trading for another starting pitcher seems logical

LONG SHOTS

First thing’s first, I’ll list off the guys who probably aren’t coming to Kansas City. These could be due to a variety of things, but the asking price will be the main one stopping the Royals from pursuing the big guns on the market.

These pitchers include Johnny Cueto, Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray, and Justin Verlander. Cueto might have played for the Royals for a brief time before, but don’t expect it to happen again. It’d take a lot to acquire Cueto and the former Royals World Series hero just isn’t having the type of season that would make anyone excited about bringing him on board.

The asking price will be the main one stopping the Royals from pursuing the big guns on the market.

Darvish would be a rental for whichever team acquires him, but are the Rangers going to be sellers? They’re still in the Wild Card hunt and could have hopes to re-sign the ace. He has a 3.44 ERA this season in 21 starts and would immediately make whoever acquires him a legitimate contender.

The Royals were said to be in on Gray, but I’m not buying that for a second. Gray has two more years left on his contract and will cost big time prospects for whatever team lands him.

As for Verlander, I wouldn’t want him even if he were available. He hasn’t been great in 2017 and giving up the type of talent to acquire him to a divisional rival just isn’t worth it.