Royals' All-Star lefty with 3.97 ERA headlines six Kansas City trade candidates
There could be a lot of top names on the move from the Royals this year.
Royals' All-Star lefty with 3. 97 ERA headlines six Kansas City trade candidates originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Kansas City Royals are off to a very disappointing start to the 2026 MLB season. Most of the attention seems to be on the New York Mets , Philadelphia Phillies , Boston Red Sox , and Houston Astros for early-season struggles. The Royals, meanwhile, are 7-15 and are tied for the worst record in Major League Baseball.
For a team that had postseason aspirations, this start to the year has been a major letdown. If things don't turn around, the Royals might be looking at a mini fire sale at the trade deadline. ESPN's David Schoenfield identified All-Star lefty pitcher Kris Bubic as the headliner among five other trade candidates this season if things don't improve.
Kris Bubic leads six trade candidates for Royals "Trade candidate: Kris Bubic (FA)," Schoenfield writes. "Other free agents include relievers Matt Strahm and John Schreiber, second baseman Jonathan India, and outfielders Starling Marte and Lane Thomas. " With the Royals off to such a terrible start to the 2026 season, it would not be a surprise if the trade deadline rolled around and they were sellers.