The Kansas City Royals are shaping up to be major sellers heading into the August 3 trade deadline, and it’s looking like Kris Bubic will be the pitcher most likely to get moved.
While Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha will certainly draw interest from contenders, both pitchers are under club control through 2027. That makes any potential deal a lot more complicated to pull off.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic points to the 28-year-old left-hander as the arm Kansas City’s “more likely” to deal this summer.
“Left-hander Kris Bubic, a potential free agent, would be more likely to go, along with others on expiring contracts…”
The logic makes sense. This Royals team isn’t built for a deep playoff run in 2026, but that doesn’t mean they need to completely tear things down either. They can move some expiring pieces, retool, and position themselves to compete in 2027.
That’s where Bubic fits perfectly.
The All-Star southpaw is carrying a 4.11 ERA this season and will hit free agency after the year ends. He’s currently on the injured list, but should be healthy enough to return before the deadline hits.
Now, Bubic isn’t going to generate the same buzz as premium rental arms like Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta. But that might actually work in Kansas City’s favor.
Teams looking for rotation help but unwilling to part with their top prospects for an elite pitcher might find Bubic to be the perfect middle ground. He’s a proven commodity with All-Star credentials who won’t cost a fortune to acquire.
From Kansas City’s perspective, moving Bubic makes more sense than dealing Lugo or Wacha. Those two right-handers represent long-term value under team-friendly deals. Bubic’s a rental who could bring back useful pieces without gutting their core.
The Royals’ front office should have an easier time finding a suitor for Bubic than for their other starters. Sometimes the most tradeable asset isn’t the best player – it’s the one whose contract situation lines up perfectly with what buyers are looking for.
