:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46815556/GettyImages-474018942.0.jpg)
It's that time of year again! No, not tax time. Not Christmas either. Stop it.
The 2015 trade deadline for Major League Baseball is July 31, which is basically a week away. Therefore, this is your one stop shop for news regarding trade deadline rumors. Individual trade deadline articles will still be written, but this is a more general place for discussion of completed trades and rumors, whispers, and innuendo. Let's have some fun. Or terror. I don't know what to feel as a fan of a team buying at the deadline.
KC needs: outfield
On July 8, Alex Gordon collided with the outfield wall at Kauffman Stadium and was carted off the field. The news was bad, but not catastrophic: Gordon suffered a groin strain that will keep him out of the lineup for two months with no surgery required.
In addition, Alex Rios suffered a hand injury back in April and is only hitting .255/.291/.332, though he has pulled himself out of the negative value department with a hot July.
Still, the outfield is an easy upgrade. These are some players that the Royals have been linked to or speculated to pursue:
KC needs: second base
Omar Infante is hitting .231/.245/.306. Christian Colon is in the minor leagues. Raul Mondesi is not ready. Whit Merrifield, even with outfield injuries and poor production from second, is not in the majors. It is not a pretty situation.
KC needs: starting pitcher
The Royals just sent Yordano Ventura, opening day starter, to Omaha due to poor performance. He was immediately recalled--because Jason Vargas tore his UCL and will be gone for the rest of the year. Jeremy Guthrie is bad at throwing the baseball. Danny Duffy is a constant enigma, Kris Medlen is a big question mark.
Major relevant transactions
Scott Kazmir to Houston Astros for Daniel Mengden and Jacob Nottingham
#Athletics trade LHP Scott Kazmir to Houston for RHP Daniel Mengden and C Jacob Nottingham; recall RHP Arnold Leon
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) July 23, 2015
EDIT 7/25
Good news for acquiring Cueto, bad news for acquiring Zobrist.
Exec on market: "If you’ve got a hitter, you’ve got gold. If you’ve got a pitcher, you’ve got a hot potato." Surplus of pitchers available.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2015
EDIT 7/25 PART 2
Looks like the Royals and Reds almost had a deal for Cueto. Dicey medicals for a prospect in the deal scuttled the deal.
#Royals were close to acquiring Cueto from #Reds earlier tonight, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. Deal fell through.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2015
EDIT 7/26
It's happening!
Source: #Royals getting Cueto.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2015
EDIT 7/26 PART 2
Pieces have been finalized.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash">#Royals</a> have acquired RHP Johnny Cueto from Cincinnati as well as cash considerations for LHPs Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed</p>— Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/625379467582541824">July 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
EDIT 7/26 PART 3
Royals not done, apparently, still have interest in acquiring hitters.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash">#Royals</a> showing interest in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Marlins?src=hash">#Marlins</a> infielder Martin Prado, sources say. Miami would need to include cash to facilitate deal.</p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/625475732660076544">July 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>