\n\t\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n\tIt hasn’t been a season to remember for the Kansas City Royals. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tEven though the AL Central has been one of the weaker divisions in baseball. As of Sunday, the Royals are 35-50, good for last in the division. They are 9.5 games behind in the division and are seven games behind in the AL Wild Card race. According to Fangraphs<\/a>, their playoff odds are 2.7%. Only the Los Angeles Angels have worse playoff odds at 1.5% (they are actually better with a 36-49 record).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThus, with the Royals likely looking toward next year, it will be important for them to take advantage at the Trade Deadline and bring in assets who could provide long-term value. This Trade Deadline will look more like the 2023 one, where they traded some veterans for prospects and young players, than the ones in 2024 and 2025, when they added to improve their outlook for the remainder of the season.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tHere are some candidates the Royals President of Baseball Operations, JJ Picollo, could trade at the Deadline this season.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Royals signed Thomas to a one-year, $5.25 million deal this offseason, hoping that he could be a platoon bat with Kyle Isbel<\/a> at the very least. He’s had to take on a bigger role with Isbel on the IL due to plantar fasciitis. Thomas has been solid this month with a 98 wRC+, .318 wOBA, and four home runs in 89 plate appearances.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe 30-year-old outfielder has been solid against lefties this year. He has a 95 wRC+ with a .314 wOBA and 0.80 BB\/K ratio in 98 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. That is much better than his 81 wRC+, .293 wOBA, and 0.52 BB\/K ratio in 116 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThere’s been a lack of competent right-handed bats available recently, especially in free agency. Thus, he could fit easily on a competing roster, especially in a platoon role. The Royals do not need him, especially with him likely leaving Kansas City in free agency at the conclusion of the season.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe 37-year-old outfielder hasn’t been a huge impact player for the Royals this year. He’s barely cracked the 100 plate appearance mark, and he’s been mostly utilized as a DH against left-handed starting pitchers. The power has gone, as he has only one home run and an ISO of .079, his worst mark in that category since 2023 with the Mets (.076 ISO).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tWhile Marte won’t be a starter for an MLB club, he is cheap ($1 million deal), and he brings a veteran presence to the clubhouse and lineup. At his age, he doesn’t fit in the Royals’ long-term plans, so it would be best for Kansas City to trade him, even if he doesn’t command a lot in return.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Royals’ bullpen has been a disaster, as they rank 30th in reliever ERA, WHIP, H\/9, and HR\/9. Schreiber has been the lone positive reliever of this group, with a 3.27 ERA. Unfortunately, his FIP hasn’t fared as well, with a lower K\/BB ratio (2.17) and a higher HR\/9 (1.64) than usual for him. He could be due for regression in the second half, which doesn’t help an already bad bullpen.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tWhile Schreiber’s numbers may not impress another team, he’s a dependable reliever who has posted an ERA under 4 every season since 2022. Schreiber is in his last year of team control with the Royals and will be a free agent after this season. The Royals would benefit from trading Schreiber sooner rather than later, especially after a rough outing in the Royals’ blowout loss on Friday against the White Sox.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tBubic is currently on the IL, but he made a rehab appearance last week and is expected to make another on Wednesday. He is only pitching one inning at a time in each outing, so it appears that the Royals are easing him in. These early results prove that he may be on the verge of a return to the Majors soon, even if it may result in a transition to the bullpen. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as Bubic thrived in 2024 in the bullpen, posting a 2.67 ERA and 1.95 FIP in 30.1 IP.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tDue to his injury issues over the past two years and the fact that he will be a free agent after this year, Bubic’s trade value has likely deflated. Still, he’s an arm with some upside, and a team may acquire him to solidify their bullpen. He could also interest a team that may want to sign him after the season to a team-friendly deal with the hope that he can bounce back and be a starter again in 2027.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tStrahm was acquired from Philadelphia with the hope that he would solidify the Royals’ bullpen. Unfortunately, that’s backfired, with Strahm posting an ERA of nearly 6 and an FIP of 7. He will be a free agent this offseason, and he could thrive in a new change of scenery. He posted a 1.87 ERA in 66 outings in 2024 and a 2.74 ERA in 66 outings in 2025. Thus, a team may be convinced that Strahm could channel that again with a winning ballclub.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Royals are probably kicking themselves for trading away Jonathan Bowlan<\/a> to Philadelphia to acquire Strahm. The former Royals righty has a 3.70 ERA and 2.70 FIP in 24.1 IP. While Kansas City can’t get Bowlan back, they could perhaps acquire another arm with long-term value similar to him by trading Strahm by the Trade Deadline.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tWacha has been the Royals’ best starting pitcher for arguably a second season in a row. He has a 2.0 fWAR already this year, and ZiPS predicts him to accumulate another 1.3 fWAR by the end of the season. While he’s not a strikeout artist, he’s crafty and can eat innings when he’s on, as was the case in Saturday’s outing when he threw 7.2 IP of one-run ball.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Royals are in a dilemma with Wacha, as they not only signed him as a free agent before 2024 but also signed him to a 2025 extension. Kansas City trading a free-agent pitcher who wanted to stay in KC isn’t a great precedent, especially for a club that has struggled to attract free-agent starting pitchers in the past. Thus, Picollo may be tempted to keep Wacha for at least one more year, to save face with other potential free agents this offseason.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe situation with Lugo is similar to Wacha’s. They signed Lugo to an extension before the Trade Deadline rather than trading him away, which most experts thought the Royals should’ve done. Lugo has been fine this year, with a 4.18 ERA and 1.2 fWAR in 90.1 IP. That’s not quite as good as Wacha, but it’s solid for a 36-year-old starting pitcher. His 4.05 FIP is also nearly a run better than a year ago (5.09). Thus, Lugo is showing some progress over his mediocre 2025 campaign (0.5 fWAR).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe issue with Lugo is that he’s WAY more expensive than Wacha, even though their contract situations are similar. Wacha is due $14 million next year and has a $14 million club option for 2028. Lugo is due $21.5 million in 2027 and has a $20 million vesting option for 2028. Thus, the Royals would need to kick in some money in any trade involving Lugo, which may be too much for them, especially if they’re already planning on trading Wacha.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tLynch has had a strong season and has been one of the few bright spots of this Royals bullpen. He’s faded a bit in June, with a 4.61 FIP this month after posting a 3.36 FIP in May and a 1.87 FIP in April. That said, he’s been one of the Royals’ more dependable relievers. Furthermore, his 21.7% K% is 5.8% better than a year ago, and his fWAR is already 0.7 higher than his 2025 mark.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Royals still hold control of Lynch for two more seasons after 2026, so there is no need to rush him, especially with him transitioning to a higher-leverage role this year. Furthermore, he is the third-longest-tenured Royals player behind Salvador Perez<\/a> and Bubic, so he brings some leadership value to the clubhouse. Nonetheless, if the Royals can get an enticing package for Lynch, they may be forced to part ways with their former 2018 competitive round pick by this year’s Trade Deadline.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tLange was designated for assignment by the Tigers this offseason and ascended to the role of Royals closer this season. That wasn’t the plan when they acquired him, but he’s been a nice pickup, making less than $1 million this year. On Sunday, he collected his seventh save of the season, retiring the White Sox in order in the ninth on three groundball outs. Lange has control issues still (1.76 K\/BB ratio), but he’s done a good job of keeping the ball in the yard (5.6% HR\/FB%).\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tHe may not be a closer for another organization, but he could boost any bullpen thanks to his strong ability to generate swing-and-miss. Lange has a 27.2% CSW and 12.2% SwStr%. His 44.7% zone rate is also a career-best, showing the progress he’s made since coming over from Kansas City. While trading away Lange leaves the Royals in a deeper hole, and it would suck to lose a local kid (he grew up in Lee’s Summit), his value has never been higher, and they could use a return of prospects.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tErceg has been awful this year, even though he produced a scoreless outing on Sunday in the Royals’ 5-4 win. His K\/BB ratio has gone from 4.50 in 2024, to 2.67 in 2025, to 1.32 this year. His CSW has seen a similar trend, going from 31.3% in 2024, to 26% in 2025, to 23.4% this season. It’s been a rough year for Erceg, and he’s lost the closer’s job, even though he leads the Royals with 12 saves.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tWhile the lackluster strikeout, walk, and CSW numbers don’t bode well for his trade value, the fastball velocity is still good at 97.3 MPH. That’s only 0.5 MPH less than a year ago. Thus, it’s not a matter of stuff with Erceg, but command. Another organization could find a way to tap into Erceg’s command again. If they do, they will have him for two more years. That long-term value could net the Royals something decent in exchange for Erceg at the Trade Deadline, though Kansas City won’t give him away for nothing.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tIsbel would’ve been a great trade candidate if healthy. However, while he’s only on a 10-day IL, it’s unlikely he’ll be 100 percent by the Trade Deadline. Even with a full more year of team control, teams likely won’t be interested in Isbel, especially if his defense, his best tool, is affected by this foot injury.\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n \n\tAfter hitting 32 home runs and 113 RBI last year, the Royals inked the Pasquatch to a modest two-year extension in the offseason. The move hasn’t worked out, as he is down in nearly every category and is currently on the IL with a hamate injury that required surgery. The recovery from hamate injuries isn’t good, especially for power hitters like Vinnie. Thus, the interest may not be there, even with Pasquantino still having two more years of team control after this season.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\tDefinitely Traded<\/span>
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tOF Lane Thomas<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2026<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 214 PA, 87 wRC+, .660 OPS, 0.3 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tOF Starling Marte<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2026<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 101 PA, 85 wRC+, .664 OPS, 0.1 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tRP John Schreiber<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2026<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 33 IP, 3.27 ERA, 5.08 FIP, -0.3 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tSP Kris Bubic<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2026<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 50.1 IP, 4.11 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 0.8 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tRP Matt Strahm<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2026<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 25.2 IP, 5.96 ERA, 7.00 FIP, -0.9 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tProbably Traded<\/span>
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tSP Michael Wacha<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2027 (Club option for 2028)<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 108.2 IP, 3.31 ERA, 3.70 FIP, 2.0 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tSP Seth Lugo<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2027 (Vesting option for 2028)<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 90.1 IP, 4.18 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 1.2 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tRP Daniel Lynch IV<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2028<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 34 IP, 2.65 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 0.5 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tRP Alex Lange<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2028<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 36.1 IP, 4.95 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 0.1 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tRP Lucas Erceg<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2028will<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 31.2 IP, 5.40 ERA, 4.84 FIP, -0.1 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\tUnlikely to Be Traded<\/span>
\n<\/h2>\n\n\tOF Kyle Isbel<\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2027<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 183 PA, 79 wRC+, .651 OPS, 0.4 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t1B Vinnie Pasquantino<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\n\tTeam Control Through 2028<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n\n\t2026 Stats: 291 PA, 81 wRC+, .660 OPS, -0.1 fWAR<\/span>
\n<\/h4>\n