Royals Finally Entertaining Trade Offers For Bullpen Stalwarts

The Kansas City Royals are finally open to entertaining trade talks involving their vaunted bullpen, with Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera expected to garner attention.

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For much of the offseason, the Kansas City Royals have thrown up a stop sign when it comes to the prospect of moving one of its valued bullpen arms, yet the American League champions might be yielding when it comes to parting ways with closer Greg Holland or middle inning horses Wade Davis and Kelvin Hererra:

Still hearing from other clubs that #Royals listening on their relievers despite preference not to break up bullpen.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 10, 2014

Make no mistake: the Royals have no plans of simply giving away one of the trio behind the team’s improbable sprint to the World Series. In order for a team to pry Holland, Davis or Herrera away, said team had better be willing to ante up a power-hitting right fielder and/or an established starting pitcher which would allow the Royals to cushion the blow of potentially losing James Shields.

Kansas City had shown interest in free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, yet his price tag (a reported $50-plus million over four years) may be too much for the Royals to commit to. The team would get better value (read: younger) by moving one of the three relievers. The Toronto Blue Jays inquired about Holland earlier this week, but the Royals’ potential asking price might be too steep for the Jays to further pursue.

Despite the team’s concerns about his build and high-risk for injury delivery, Holland, who has saved 93 games over the last two seasons, could come back to the Royals next season with a reasonable $9.3 million salary.

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