Two players the Royals must trade after disastrous downward spiral

On May 9, after a 16-2 stretch, the Kansas City Royals were 24-16 and in the thick of the AL Central race. Since then, the team has spiraled downward, winning just 14 games and losing 31. 

They are now buried 14 games behind the division-leading Detroit Tigers. Kansas City is 5.5 games behind for the final wild-card spot, but has six teams to jump over to win that berth. While the Royals can go on a hot streak and get back into the wild-card race, it is unlikely they'd be able to outplay all of those other teams. 

It is time for the Royals to leverage whatever trading chips they have. Unfortunately, they don't have many.

Their most attractive piece is starting pitcher Seth Lugo. After finishing second in the AL Cy Yong voting last year, he is performing even better this season. He's pitched to a 2.74 ERA and 1.083 WHIP over 88.2 innings with 76 strikeouts and only 28 walks. 

Any contender could use a starting pitcher of Lugo's caliber, and he's not saddled with a massive salary. There is approximately $7 million left for this year, and Lugo has a $15 million player option for next year that he is unlikely to take. There should be plenty of bidders.

In return, the Royals must receive hitters who are either major league-ready or very close to it. The organization has few offensive prospects, outside of the catcher position, in their upper minors who can help the team win as early as 2026. 

They are notably lacking in the outfield, but could use help at second or third. They have flexibility because Maikel Garcia can effectively play several positions. 

The other player is closer Carlos Estevez. The veteran reliever has done everything asked of him, saving 23 games while compiling a 2.02 ERA and 1.037 WHIP.  He's also affordable, with approximately $5 million left this season, $10.1 million next year and a $13 million club option in 2027.  

Serious contenders all need a dependable, experienced reliever, and Estevez fits the bill. He might not bring the haul Lugo should, but he could still add some talent to the Royals' upper minors through a trade.  

The Royals might also move some other players. Michael Lorenzen would have some value as a fifth starter, and he can pitch in relief, but the return wouldn't be nearly as good as it should be with the other two pitchers. Just about any reliever not named Lucas Erceg could go. 

Offensively, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and outfielder Jac Caglianone are probably untouchable, but everyone else could be traded. Unfortunately, no one else has much value beyond being a throw-in to a larger trade. Salvador Perez probably won't be moved because he's set to be a Royal for what is left of his career. 

Lugo and Estevez have plenty of value, but Kansas City must maximize that value to help the immediate future. The Royals aren't doing a great job developing their minor league players, so cashing in on MLB players is the quickest way to improve their upper minor league rosters.

The dream for back-to-back postseason appearances by the Royals seems to be over. They need to be aggressively shopping Lugo and Estevez, and probably Lorenzen and some of the bullpen arms.