For teams that are in the market for high-end starting pitching and willing to deal big league talent to get it, the Royals represent one of the most interesting potential trade partners of the offseason. Kansas City isn’t hiding its willingness to deal a rotation member for an outfielder. “Our starting pitching, we have some depth there,” said Royals general manager J.J. Picollo .
“A lot of teams are looking for starting pitching, so if we have what they may be interested in, and they have an outfielder that would be of interest, then there’s potentially the opportunity to make a deal.” Is anyone, including lefthander Cole Ragans, off limits?
“I wouldn’t say off limits,” said Picollo, who noted that the Royals were reluctant to deal either Seth Lugo or Michael Wacha after the two veteran right-handers committed to them via free agency.
“There would have to be a really big return for one [starter] in particular.”
That starter, of course, is Ragans. Though the Royals would prefer a right-handed-hitting outfielder, they won’t be tethered to the notion – making their considerable interest in Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran at the trade deadline notable.