The Royals are downplaying it, but they would trade closer Joakim Soria for a starting pitcher and would also discuss reliever Greg Holland, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Soria, 27, is potentially under contract through 2014. Holland is drawing interest from the Blue Jays and others after a breakout season. Either player would require a significant bounty.
chico65
Cashman just stained his pants
jojo
Brett Cecil for Holland.
vtadave
Jose Bautista for Alicedes Escobar.
jojo
Moore for AA
kcgregory
I wouldn’t have thought Soria could land a mid rotation starter, but with these closer contracts we’re seeing perhaps he could. I’d listen on him for sure.
joeybw
I speak for the Rays, we will take either, please.
Daniel Wesley
Considering the crazy market for relievers we’re seeing, the Royals would be silly to not shop either right now.
Denoit
Brett Cecil seriously? How about Drabek.. seems expendable, with upside of a solid starter, but probably better suited for pen.
not_brooks
Boy, Drabek has fallen far in the last year or so.
He was basically the main piece in the Roy Halladay deal almost exactly two years ago and now someone’s bringing him up in a 1-for-1 deal for a reliever.
Ouch…
perezroyals
Alex Cobb, Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann for soria is ok for the royals
notsureifsrs
you’d take davis for soria?
patrick
all 3 would be bad moves for the royals
notsureifsrs
nah, alex cobb is quite good
$5427573
Why would the Royals deal for another pitcher? They have lots up and coming. If they are making a deal with the Jays, it’ll be for a position player like Snider or Thames, or even Rasmus since there were rumours about them liking him not too long ago.
My bet is they have their eyes on Snider though, but want more than just him.
perezroyals
soria is under control for 3 more years for 6 million a year…
kcgregory
Perhaps because they’re still short on starting pitching and appear committed to all positions (except maybe 2B)? They could maybe upgrade in center, but seem intent on giving Cain every opportunity to have that job. Francouer is here for two more. Gordon will likely be extended. Snider makes literally zero sense for us.
Meanwhile we’re counting on Chen, Sanchez, Hochevar, Paulino, and Duffy in the rotation. Not a sure thing in the bunch.
There’s no need for any moves unless it’s for a starter.
Cobby Box
Just to throw it out there, there’s no way they could just try a Rangers’ move and put Soria in the rotation? Essentially that’s trading a reliever for a starter…
kcgregory
A few years ago this idea was under consideration, but that ship has sailed
KJ4realz
My thoughts exactly. Why not work him out now? I’ve heard mention, mostly other bloggers, that he’s being wasted as a closer, albeit a good one.
patrick
b/c he cant stay healthy throwing 60 innings…and most think that if his stuff takes the hit that most pitchers do going from the pen to the rotation that he’s not any good
KJ4realz
My thoughts exactly. Why not work him out now? I’ve heard mention, mostly other bloggers, that he’s being wasted as a closer, albeit a good one.
scottyballgame
KC would prefer to move Soria due to his salary (although with this market his salary is a plus since they are basically 3 years of 1 year options), but I’d think more teams would be wanting Holland, due to 5 years of control. He would get you a better return.
sergio
I’m shocked no one has mentioned BOSTON for Soria
sergio
I’m shocked no one has mentioned BOSTON for Soria
Nathan Miller⚾™
Guys, don’t get to excited about this rumor… It’s coming from a writer for the New York Post. Now how would he know that the Royals would trade him? No KC writers have said that?
-Of course, the Royals have said that if they get OVERWHELMED, they would move him.
get_on_up
Soria plus ____ for Shields
riso30
Heyman tweeted that the Royals are IN on Gio Gonzalez. I say Holland and a top 15 prospect for Gio. Thoughts?
kcgregory
I’m all about that as a Royals fan so I’m sure it’s woefully short of what it would take to get Gio
lefty177
Sox, too bad Epstein isn’t here anymore, Soria would already have his on jet on the way to Boston
kcpaul
I’ve heard that the Royals are going after Gio personally from people inside the organization.
riso30
I REALLY hope that the people you are referring to aren’t the concession stand workers, because this news just gets me too excited for what the Royals are building. As long as they don’t give up any of their current core, a Gio addition to the rotation, would be huge. It MIGHT even push Hochevar to improve, or even out of the rotation.
kcpaul
Not concession stand workers, but can’t say who. 🙂
Goose That's Loose
Hochever isn’t going anywhere and you MIGHT want to look at his second half stats.