The Kansas City Royals are sitting near the bottom of the standings this season, and they’re looking like trade deadline sellers heading into the August 3 deadline.
With the team trending towards selling mode, all players in their final years of club control become legitimate trade candidates. But here’s where it gets interesting – the Royals also have the option to move players who are under control beyond 2026.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan is pushing the Royals to trade some of those controllable assets. He’s specifically eyeing the starting pitcher market, where Kansas City has two valuable chips in their rotation.
“With starters Cole Ragans (controllable through 2028) and Kris Bubic (pending free agent) both injured, their best chance to do that is dealing veteran hurlers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, each of whom is signed through 2027 with a ’28 club option.”
Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha represent exactly what contending teams will be hunting for this summer.
Both veterans would generate serious interest from teams willing to pay a reasonable price. That’s the beauty of having starters signed through 2027 – you’re not just selling rentals.
Harrigan’s calling for what he describes as a “retool” rather than a total rebuild. That makes sense for where the Royals sit right now.
The way I see it, Kansas City doesn’t have to move these guys immediately. But if they want to retool this roster properly, they’re going to have to part with some quality players.
What makes this summer different is the seller’s market for starting pitching that’s shaping up. The Royals should capitalize on that demand by moving Wacha and Lugo, and potentially Kris Bubic if he’s healthy by the deadline.
It’s a small step back in the short term. But for a Royals team that’s clearly not ready to contend right now, it’s the right move for the long haul.
The question isn’t whether Kansas City should sell – it’s how aggressively they’re willing to retool when the market’s this favorable for starting pitching.
