Royals’ reported trade deadline plan includes keeping pair of All-Star pitchers

Royals’ reported trade deadline plan includes keeping pair of All-Star pitchers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Kansas City Royals may be at the bottom of the American League standings, but they’re not expected to trade two All-Star starting pitchers.

On Friday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote that the Royals will not make two veteran starters available for trade.

“Kansas City intends to hold on to Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo,” Passan reported.

Passan’s report eliminates Wacha and Lugo as starting pitching options for contending clubs.

Wacha is not an ace, but his 3.77 ERA and durability in 19 starts make him an attractive trade candidate for many teams.

However, he is under contract through the 2027 season. It appears the Royals would rather have him in next year’s rotation rather than trade him now.

Lugo, 36, also has a year of control past 2026. He hasn’t had an incredibly strong year, posting a 4.56 ERA with 10 hits allowed per nine innings.

Kansas City’s resistance to trading either Wacha or Lugo is likely a frustrating report for teams who need starting pitching.

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“It’s got a chance to make Aug. 3 a complete dud. Is that going to happen? Probably not, but it’s more of a possibility than it’s been in recent weeks,” Passan wrote about the state of the AL Wild Card race. “Should the standings remain flat, teams will have a difficult time lining up their options.”

As of now, the Royals appear unlikely to trade those two pitchers.

That could change, but Kansas City is already preparing for next year.