Royals are still looking for starting pitching as the trade deadline approaches

The Royals have been active at the trade deadline, pulling off a six-player trade with the Padres that netted them Trevor Cahill, and acquiring Melky Cabrera from the White Sox over the weekend. But they do not appear to be done, at least according to reports. Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star says the team is “likely done in the position player market”, but could add a utility player or pitching “if it makes sense.” Ken Rosenthal writes that the Royals are still looking to add starting pitching.

The Royals have been linked to Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn, and Blue Jays pitchers Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano in recent weeks. All of them would be impending free agents, lowering the cost the Royals would have to give up. Yu Darvish is another rental getting a lot of attention, and the Royals supposedly found his price too high. Ideally, the Royals would like to get a pitcher signed beyond this year, but the cost for that will be high. Sonny Gray is almost certainly out of the question, and Julio Teheran seems like a reach. Even the asking price for a mediocre pitcher with controllable years like Dan Straily is quite high. Other names the Royals could pursue include Ervin Santana, Andrew Cashner, and Jeremy Hellickson, who was just acquired from Baltimore but could be on the move again.

One complication to adding a pitcher, however, is the Royals are already carrying 13 pitchers, so who gets taken off the roster if they add someone? Scott Alexander has options, but has been so good you would like to keep him. Neftali Feliz has improved considerably since the Royals picked him up and would have to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. Peter Moylan has a high ERA, but hasn’t given up an earned run in over a month. Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer were just acquired, and it seems unlikely Mike Minor, Kelvin Herrera, or Joakim Soria would be moved. Perhaps a MLB piece would be part of the return? The Royals have a few tradeable assets left.

It is also important to keep an eye on what other American League contenders might do today. The Yankees are still talking about acquiring Sonny Gray or first baseman Yonder Alonso, the Red Sox could use a starting pitcher and third baseman, and the Indians could be in on Zach Britton or Yu Darvish.

The non-waiver trade deadline is 3 p.m. CT today. Will the Royals make a move for that final piece?