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The August 1 trade deadline has passed with the Royals making no significant trades other than acquiring Billy Burns from Oakland over the weekend for outfielder Brett Eibner. The Royals had attracted attention for Wade Davis, but the closer went on the disabled list last week, ending any trade talks. Reliever Luke Hochevar also had some interest, but he was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome last week, likely ending his season.
Edinson Volquez attracted some tepid interest in a weak starting pitching market, but ultimately the Royals were not able to move him. Volquez holds a $10 million mutual option for 2017 that he will likely decline, to test free agency. The Royals could offer him a Qualifying Offer for $16.7 million to keep him or receive a draft pick as compensation if he leaves.
The Royals had a few other tradeable assets such as designated hitter Kendrys Morales and outfielder Jarrod Dyson, who seemed expendable with the acquisition of Burns. Players can still be traded after the deadline if they clear waivers, giving every team a shot to claim the player. Ian Kennedy is a good bet to clear waivers if anyone wants to trade for him, and Kendrys Morales could clear waivers as well. Edinson Volquez would be less likely to clear waivers, but if he is claimed by a team, the Royals could work out a trade with that team.
As expected, Ed Volquez and Kendrys Morales are still here.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 1, 2016
Volquez: "I made it, boy."
The Texas Rangers were the big movers at the deadline, acquiring Carlos Beltran from the Yankees and Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress from the Brewers. The deadline also saw starting pitchers get moved, such as the Dodgers picking up Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick from the Athletics, and Matt Moore moving from the Rays to the Giants. Relievers were still in high demand as the Giants gave up a top pitching prospect in Phil Bickford for former Royals reliever Will Smith from the Brewers.
Other starting pitchers traded included Hector Santiago to the Twins, in exchange for Alex Meyer and Ricky Nolasco, Scott Feldman to the Blue Jays, Ivan Nova to the Pirates, and Jon Niese to the Mets. The Rays, who the Royals play tonight, are also without Brandon Guyer and Steve Pearce, who they shipped to Cleveland and Baltimore, respectively.
Dayton Moore recently addressed the media on the deadline.
Dayton says they didn't shop Hoch/Wade, even prior to injuries. Says it's fair to assume they didn't receive a substantial offer for either.
— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) August 1, 2016
DM: The last 72 hours, we feel like there wasn't anything for us to drastically to improve our team now and in the long term. #Royals
— Zoel Lopez (@zm_lopez) August 1, 2016
DM: We've never shopped players here in the last 10 years. (To other teams) #Royals
— Zoel Lopez (@zm_lopez) August 1, 2016
"I don't look at our players as assets, they are human beings with families. We don't shop them." - Dayton Moore #Royals
— TJ Carpenter (@TJCarpenterWHB) August 1, 2016
DM: We value winning in the Major Leagues.... If we're going to do deals, we're going to do good deals that make sense. #Royals
— Zoel Lopez (@zm_lopez) August 1, 2016
DM: We never try to build for a future that would put us in a position to not win games (for the current season). #Royals
— Zoel Lopez (@zm_lopez) August 1, 2016
Dayton Moore indicated that the Royals would likely give Volquez a qualifying offer. "We'll see," he said. But played into their thinking.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) August 1, 2016
"Well, we're gonna need pitching. ... We like him & we think he likes it here." #Royals Dayton Moore on if he hopes Volquez is on 2017 team.
— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) August 1, 2016