MLB Trade Rumors: Royals Looking to Buy at Deadline

The Kansas City Royals have won six straight games and crept back to the .500 mark at 51-51. That recent run of success has GM Dayton Moore re-thinking his team’s fortunes, says Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

"The Royals, by the way, are adjusting their trade strategy after winning six straight games to get back to .500. They are now unlikely to trade right-hander Ervin Santana; their thinking now is that they will do whatever is necessary to stay competitive, a source said."

Santana has a 6-6 record, but is sporting a career-best 3.06 ERA through 20 starts this year. He is a free agent at the end of the year and the Royals have several quality young arms poised to join their rotation should they let him walk. Santana is in the final year of a five-year, $42 million deal signed while he was pitching for the Angels. He is making $13 million this season.

Rosenthal’s piece goes on to list Kansas City as a potential destination for second baseman Howie Kendrick, should the Angels decide to move him. The Royals have given a ridiculous number of at bats to veteran Chris Getz at that position over the past few years while second base prospect Johnny Giavotella has largely been trapped in Triple-A despite a strong minor league track record. If they aren’t going to “free Gio,” then the smart move is to add a player from outside the organization, because Getz isn’t now and never was the answer.