The Kansas City Royals might be primed to do some selling before Monday.
The defending World Series champions have ruled the American League Central for the past two seasons, but 2016 hasn’t been treating them as well. The Royals were two games under .500 as of Tuesday, sitting in fourth place in the division and 8 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians.
But Kansas City could make some changes to its roster in the coming days.
The Texas Rangers are interested in Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Monday, adding that the right-hander also could be a fit for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Miami Marlins or Baltimore Orioles. Volquez signed with Texas as an amateur free agent in 2001 and made 17 starts there over the course of three seasons after his debut in 2005.
With a 4.32 career ERA, Volquez isn’t the best starter on the market — he’s 8-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 21 starts this season — but he’s been pretty solid since throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings on June 29.
The Royals also are shopping star closer Wade Davis, but their asking price might be a little high. Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan reported Monday that the club asked the Washington Nationals for top pitching prospect Lucas Gioloto in return for Davis, which is a lot to ask for a guy who, although he’s still great, seems to be headed for a slight decline.
Thumbnail photo via Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports Images
