Call to the pen
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Kansas City Royals: Five trade destinations for Wade Davis

By Jason Evans

Sep 10, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Kansas City won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Kansas City won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 24, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA Today Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA Today Sports /

If the Kansas City Royals are so inclined to deal their All-Star closer, where could he end up?

The Kansas City Royals are going to be heading towards a transition. As I talked about earlier this month, there are going to be some payroll restrictions for the club after going all in this year and falling short of the playoffs as they looked to win their third straight AL pennant and second straight championship.

As Jon Heyman reported yesterday on Today’s Knuckleball, teams are already reaching out to the Royals about what it would take to pry Wade Davis away from the club. Davis has yet to have his $10 million option picked up by the club, but it’s going to happen.

Davis will be a free agent after next season as will Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas. That’s a gigantic part of the core of the club.

The Royals do also have Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria to close out games next season. They could also use young lefties Matt Strahm and Brian Flynn to help there too as they did this past season.

The free agent market this off-season is going to be strong with relievers. Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon will all be free agents. More and more teams will look to shore up their bullpen as this post-season may have amplified its impact even more.

So where could Davis end up if the Royals decide to ship him out? Here are five potential destinations for the right-hander.

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