MLB trade deadline: Potential landing spots for Lance Lynn
By Tim Haberin
Kansas City Royals
They’re aliiiiiive! After being left for dead not too long ago, the Royals have rocketed back into the thick of the playoff race. Winners of nine straight, no team in baseball is hotter right now. They’re buyers, as they well should be at only two games behind Cleveland in the AL Central.
Kansas City already made a trade last week to boost its pitching staff, nabbing starter Trevor Cahill and relievers Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter from the Padres. The Royals have received solid performances from Jason Vargas (3.00 ERA in 120 IP) and Danny Duffy (3.56 ERA in 101 IP) this year, but some more rotation help certainly couldn’t hurt. KC starters have managed a 4.38 ERA as a unit, good for 13th in baseball. There is definitely some room for improvement there.
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports that the Royals have indeed engaged the Cardinals about Lynn, though there is no indication how far those discussions progressed. KC’s growing momentum in the standings could encourage them to be aggressive and make another deal.
The Royals have been connected to Gray within the past couple weeks, but Lynn might make more sense for them in terms of cost. Their interest in the Blue Jays’ Francisco Liriano (also per Morosi) provides a general sense of where they’re aiming. However, Lynn would undoubtedly be a better get than the struggling Liriano (5.99 ERA in 17 starts).
Next: Bronx Bound?