2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Royals Interested in Carlos Zambrano

A day after the club strengthened their starting rotation by dealing for Jonathan Sanchez, the Kansas City Royals appear to be interested in adding another starter via trade, Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano.  While speaking with 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City yesterday, Royals’ general manager Dayton Moore said his club “would have to be interested” in a player like  Zambrano.

Kansas City is known to be in the market for more starting pitching, and Moore said that it’s his job to “explore every opportunity” that presents itself.

Zambrano may just be one of those opportunities this winter if the Cubs are willing to move their mercurial starter.  While he’s posted solid career numbers for Chicago, he’s also given his franchise its fair share of headaches over the years.  The Cubs finally had enough this summer, as they placed Zambrano on the disqualified list and eventually sent him home for the remainder of the year in September.

During the radio interview, Moore gave his take on the troubled starter.  The GM praised Zambrano as “a heckuva competitor” and noted that the 30-year-old “has had a lot of success in the Major Leagues”.  While these are general statements anyone could make, Moore goes on to share his thoughts on Zambrano as a person.

To Moore, “Zambrano is actually a very pleasant, easy going, classy person off the field”.  However, once he takes the mound, Moore said “the competitiveness takes over” and can bring out qualities Zambrano is less than proud of.

So, why would things be any different in KC?  Moore says that while the Cubs obviously have grown “tired of some of his outbursts”, he believes in the Royals’ coaching staff.  Because of this belief, Moore says the team will “always take a chance and risk on certain players”.  Moore finished the Zambrano conversation by stating that everyone will just have to wait and see how this “particular situation unfolds”.

What will be left to unfold are two things.  Are the Cubs really interested in shipping out and selling low on Zambrano?  If so, how much money will they be willing to kick in to get a deal done?  The answers to these questions will determine the interest that other teams have in acquiring Big Z.

For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Kings of Kauffman.