Royals Rumors: Players most likely to be traded at 2019 deadline
DOUBTFUL TRADE CANDIDATES, BUT WE’LL STILL INCLUDE THEM
This section includes either guys on multi-year contracts or ones that probably won’t be traded, but COULD theoretically be shipped off.
Let’s start with Alex Gordon.
Gordon would probably generate some interest from teams on the trade market, but he has 10 and 5 rights, meaning he has the right to veto any trade that comes his way.
Last month, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com wrote a piece that discussed Gordon potentially playing in 2020. In that article, the trade deadline came up and Gordon told Flanagan he had no desire to play anywhere else.
"“I don’t want to play anywhere else,” Gordon said. “Yeah, I want to retire as a Royal. I’ve established my family here with my kids. This is home.”"
Considering Gordon can veto any trade offered up and he doesn’t want to wear another uniform, it’s safe to say he’s not going anywhere at the trade deadline.
The other two names on here, Merrifield and Soler, both have several years left on their respective deals. Soler hits free agency in 2022 while Merrifield would be on the free agent market in 2023 (he’d be 34 years old by that time).
Having club control over both players for several years makes them appealing for sure, but would the Royals be willing to part ways with either guy? Dayton Moore recently said that he doesn’t see a scenario where they would trade Merrifield, which likely means the utility man is safe.
As for Soler, he’s not great defensively, but he can hit for power. This might make him an appealing trade candidate for an American League team who could slot him in as a designated hitter. More than likely, the Royals hang onto Soler and try to get whatever they can out of him moving forward.