The July non-waiver trade deadline is today at 3 p.m. The Royals have asserted they will not be sellers, but it also looks doubtful they have the financial flexibility or the wherewithal to make an impact move. The Royals have been subject to many rumors, with it seeming clear they are wishing to acquire a player than can not only help this year, but next year as well. The club has soured on many of the outfielders available, but may be interested in a role player to add depth to the lineup, and the team has scouted numerous pitchers that might be able to add depth and fill in for James Shields in 2015.
Among the players the Royals have been said to have shown interest in:
Outfielders: Emilio Bonifacio, Marlon Byrd, Chris Denofria, Jonny Gomes (traded to Oakland), Alex Rios, Justin Ruggiano, Josh Willingham, Ben Zobrist.
Starting pitchers: A.J. Burnett, Bartolo Colon, Jorge de la Rosa, Ian Kennedy, John Lackey traded to St. Louis).
Relief pitchers: Antonio Bastardo, Andrew Miller, Carlos Villanueva
Outfielders Drew Stubbs and Dayan Viciedo have also been mentioned as possibilities, but no reports have linked the Royals to those players.
Here is your roundup of the latest rumors.
Royals Review: Royals Trade Rumors
Denorfia is getting moved today from #Padres. #Royals and #Braves are the leaders
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2014
Royals have asked Rockies about Jorge De La Rosa, source says. KC wants to add a starter.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2014
Sources: #Phillies talking to #Royals about A.J. Burnett. No indication that deal is close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
@royalsreview I heard they hoped to upgrade on Guthrie.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) July 31, 2014
KC has stayed in the mix on Alex Rios, hoping he benefits from change of scenery. "Lightning in a bottle" is a phrase, and it was used here.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) July 31, 2014
#Royals, #SFGiants, #Mariners, #Reds, #Indians in on #Rangers' Alex Rios. Deal may be close. Story: http://t.co/txs2xr4eIH
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayMLB) July 31, 2014
The #Royals indeed are in pursuit of #Mets Bartolo Colon, #RedSox John Lackey and #Padres Ian Kennedy, per @McCulloughStar
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2014
Was told no uptick in calls to Mets about Colon since Lester trade. Royals not in the mix right now; Mets seem certain Colon is staying.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) July 31, 2014
Royals trade rumors are very moving, in the string quartet scene in Titanic kind of way.
— CJ Nitkowski (@CJNitkowski) July 31, 2014
This franchise has come to a crossroads and Dayton Moore seems ready to take the path less thought of as being a smart path to follow.