Trade Deadline Preview: Kansas City Royals

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

However, if the Royals remain in contention, they could end up making several moves. With the holes in their lineup and bullpen, the Royals could end up being quite active at the deadline. Here are a few potential targets:

1. Marlon Byrd. After putting together a career year in 2013 at age 35, Byrd has shown no signs of slowing down with the Philadelphia Phillies. Byrd is still hitting for power and has been able to play a passable right field even at his age. With Lorenzo Cain in center, Byrd’s defensive limitations may not be as glaring, even in the spacious confines of Kauffman Stadium. Byrd would also give the Royals a potential power bat in the middle of their lineup, relegating the struggling Aoki to a fourth outfielder role.

2. Andrew Miller. A disaster as a starting pitcher, Miller has been able to reinvent himself as one of the best left handed relievers in the game. While he has had success against hitters from both sides of the plate, Miller has been especially stingy against left handed batters over his career. A power lefty, Miller has struck out over thirteen batters per nine innings since converting full time to the bullpen. Added to the Royals trio of Herrera, Davis and Holland, he would be a perfect fit as a LOOGY for the Royals.

3. Jeff Samardzija. Even though starting pitching would not appear to be a need for the Royals, they have reportedly been scouting Samardzija over his past two starts. Why? Because the plan is to keep Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy to 180 and 150 innings respectively this season. Removing one, or both, pitchers from the rotation would likely be disastrous for the Royals playoff hopes, unless they were to get another top notch starter. As Samardzija is one of the top starters likely to be moved at the deadline, he would certainly help to fill that void if and when either pitcher hits their innings limit.