Royals’ trade deadline strategy will catch contenders’ attention

The Kansas City Royals are the latest franchise to be featured in the rumor mill with the August 3 trade deadline just days away. It appears the franchise may be sellers, and the recent word on the street is that there are several intriguing players who could be available for contending teams.

Based on reports, the Royals are open to dealing away players on expiring contracts, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The well-known insider claims that a reliever and two outfielders could be on the block ahead of the deadline.

“The Royals are surefire sellers this week, but don’t look for Kansas City to trade away any of its controllable players,” Feinsand wrote. “According to sources, the Royals are open to moving their expiring contracts, most notably reliever John Schreiber and outfielders Lane Thomas and Starling Marte, but players with control beyond 2026 – namely pitchers Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Daniel Lynch IV and Alex Lange – will likely remain in Kansas City after the Trade Deadline has passed.”

Feinsand also shared a quote from an unnamed rival executive who reasoned why Wacha, Lugo, Lynch, and Lange may not be available for trade. The individual believes the Royals are aiming to contend in the 2027 campaign, and claims the franchise views those players as key pieces for contention next year.

“They’re trying to contend in 2027, and they think those guys are part of that equation,” a rival executive said. “It doesn’t seem like they’re going to move any of them. Maybe one of the relievers, but that would be it.”

The Royals are well behind the playoff race, as the club owns a bottom-three record in the American League (46-63). However, the team has won four straight games and is on the verge of sweeping the Minnesota Twins in a three-game series. The third and final contest takes place on Thursday at 1:40 p.m. EST.