3 Players the Royals Need to Consider Trading in the Offseason

After winning the World Series in 2015, the Kansas City Royals have finished with a sub-.500 record in three of the last four seasons, including in 2019 when they lost 103 games, the second season in a row which they reached the century mark in losses.

There's no denying they are in the midst of a rebuild, so to continue adding young talent they need to consider offloading some of their veteran players. So, here are three players the Royals need to seriously consider trading in the offseason.

3. RHP Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy was a Cy Young candidate for the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2011, but failed to replicate that success in years following. After latching on in KC, the Royals moved him to the bullpen where he posted a 3.41 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 63.1 innings and picked up 30 saves. Kennedy seems to have found a role as a back-end reliever, which could fetch a nice trade package. The $16.5 million he's owed in his final year will certainly complicate things, but the Royals just might need to eat some money to bring in a decent return.

2. LHP Danny Duffy

Danny Duffy has had a solid career in KC, having been a Royal since his MLB debut back in 2011. Duffy is due $30.8 million over the next two years through his current deal, and it'd be wise for the Royals to get out from underneath that as they continue to overturn the roster. If they could turn him into a couple of prospects while only eating a portion of his deal, consider that a great move for the Royals.

1. C Salvador Perez

This one is tough. Salvador Perez is the leader of this team, even though he missed the entire 2019 season due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Perez has just two years remaining on this contract and is scheduled to earn $26 million over that span. With catcher being one of the weakest positions in baseball, Perez could fetch a solid haul for the Royals, even with his recent injury woes.