The defending champion Kansas City Royals enter Thursday’s action two games under .500 and closer to last place than first in the American League Central.
This has Kansas City thinking about selling before next Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline. And based on the talent the team boasts, it could be extremely active over the next few days.
One name that continues to pop up in rumors is 30-year-old closer Wade Davis, who is in the midst of an All-Star season. Though, any trade for Davis wouldn’t come cheap.
An example of deals the Royals are mulling: A team that asked about Wade Davis said it was told the Chapman package "wouldn't get it done"
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 25, 2016
There are obvious reasons behind this.
First off, Kansas City has a team option for Davis next season — an option that would pay the dominating reliever just $10 million. That’s a low price to pay for a guy that’s posted an ERA of 1.00 or lower in each of the past two seasons.
This year alone, Davis has put up a 1.60 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 21 saves in 35 appearances. Not as great as the past two seasons, but still elite-level numbers.
Among the teams reportedly interested in Davis are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who actually boast the National League’s best bullpen. Adding him would help the team’s starting rotation in a direct manner, shortening games in the process.
Though, it’s now being reported that any team looking to add Davis would have to pick up Ian Kennedy and his relatively lofty contract.
Kennedy, 31, is in the first year of a five-year, $70 million contract he signed with Kansas City during the winter. The veteran has pitched to a 6-9 record with a 4.41 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 20 starts this season.
Sources: Royals trying to package Ian Kennedy in a potential Wade Davis deal. Dodgers a strong match. Covet Davis and can take on Kennedy $.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2016
This makes sense from a Royals perspective. If they are truly looking to trade Davis, why not attempt to move an under-performing contract in the process?
As we saw with the Aroldis Chapman trade, the reliever market strongly favors sellers right now.
From a Dodgers perspective, this could also make a ton of sense. Not only does the team have the financial resources to take on Kennedy’s deal, it could use a bottom of the rotation arm to fill in until Clayton Kershaw returns from injury.
In reality, the Dodgers rotation has been anything but good outside of their top two starters. While Kennedy isn’t great, he can eat up innings and provide something of substance from the fifth spot in the rotation.