After the first month of the baseball season the Royals have a glaring need, starting pitching. The team has a record of 18-11, which is very impressive under the circumstances the team has faced this first month.
Injuries and suspensions have caused the Royals to make changes to the batting order and the starting rotation. Chris Young looks to make his second start in two weeks, the first was due to the suspension of Edinson Volquez and the one tomorrow will be due to an injury to Jason Vargas. Each starter has had a poor outing while Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie have yet to put together back to back good starts this year. The biggest need this Royals team has is in the starting rotation. With guys in the bullpen like Greg Holland, Luke Hochevar, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis it would make sense to trade an expensive closer like Holland and a prospect for a solid big league starter.
Holland is getting paid 8.25 million this year in the last year of his contract. It makes sense to shop him around in the trade market and slide Davis into the closers role. Davis is under contract for another two years and has a salary that is 5 million less. Holland would have great trade value and paired with a minor league prospect might be able to get a quality starter from a team that has plenty of depth. The Royals will get some help from within whenever starter Kris Medlen comes of the disabled list hopefully in early June. The Royals have the best bullpen in the league, and it could help them get a quality starter without losing much. Three guys the Royals could target are Johnny Cueto, Danny Salazar, and Cole Hammels who would all look good in Royal blue. However, they may drive a higher price since the Red Sox and other big money teams will be looking for starting pitchers.
