Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals: Lorenzo Cain

With a playoff berth slowly slipping far, far out of their reach, the Royals will soon be selling off the final key pieces of their runs to the World Series. Wade Davis was dealt over the winter, and Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, and Eric Hosmer could soon follow the All-Star closer out the door.

The Royals have gradually pushed their payroll much higher since their first World Series in 2014, and even found a way to re-sign All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon for $72 million. With team salaries topping $140 million, the Royals are not in position to slash everything down to bare bones for 2018. Expect them to make a run at retaining one of their three key free agents.

The oldest of the three, Lorenzo Cain, does not appear to be an ideal candidate for a mid-market franchise to sink big money into. The contract for Gordon has been an outright disaster so far, and the front office may be skittish about inking another 32-year old outfielder to a long-term deal.

Cain was a major driving force for the Royals in 2014 and 2015, but has seen his production decline the past two seasons. He is not hitting for power and his slugging percentage has fallen off from its high mark of .477 in 2015 to .384. Cain is still a terror on the bases and is on pace to steal more than 30 bags for the first time in his career. Defensively, Cain is solid as ever.

Breaking down the roster bit by bit is going to be painful for the Royals and their fans, but it must be done. If they do it correctly, Kansas City will successfully bridge the gap from this window of contention to the next without decades of losing.

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