That’s why I mentioned Oakland and Seattle. Oakland’s position players are about Texas League on average, but they have quite a bit of pitching. They really have little use for one star position player nor for an injured AA and inconsistent AAA pitcher, but a DH, a 1B, and a CF capable of starting and staying under control for several years would improve them greatly for next year and beyond. Since Billy Beane loves OBP, he’ld have to have Kila, Cain’s speed would play well in the Colosseum, Lough would be an improvement over DeJesus. That type of situation seems most likely; poor, cheap teams needing several bodies, not unlike the Royals last year.

“It would be a tough sell to offer several AAA players that aren’t good enough to play on the Royals”

Better phrased would be: “Not good enough to take a job from Billy, Hoz, and Melky.” That puts the situation in a different light, as there are few players in the game now that would be able to take those jobs and much fewer that could do it for major league minimum with years of control.

Jim, I’m not really sure what other teams would be looking to get. It would be a tough sell to offer several AAA players that aren’t good enough to play on the Royals. Although C.Rob and Cain have something about them. I would say it would take something more along the lines of Lamb and Monty to get a true ace, and that is too steep for me.

I’m not sure how many teams really want a scattered grouping of players. Weren’t the Royals going to get Danny Espinosa, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmerman, and a prospect C, right? That would have been a pretty good haul.

Meche and Hoch hurt had something to do with it.

Since we are talking of trading for an ace, any ideas what it would take to get one? The Brewers gave a bunch for Greinke, so, specifically, who would we trade to get that quality of pitcher? We have spare OF, 1B, and DH, but none of them are premium positions. Maybe Cuthbert, Fletcher, Orlando, Cain, Dwyer, Kila, Lough, and Holland? How much damage to the system is worth the crap-shoot and expense that is an ace? Oakland and Seattle both need so many positions filled that we might be able to give either of them half an improved starting line-up for a stud and #3. Giants are another possibility; Cain, Lough, and C. Robinson making them a better team.

Edwin Jackson are you serious what has he done except lose for the cardinals and under achieve everywhere else, he’d be a shot in the dark much rather trade a couple prime prospects for a true No. 1 starter and Edwin Jackson does not fit that bill at all even if he is able to be brought in for cheap id still rather have Chen any day of the week !!!!

I think before the 2009 season, there were alot of people that thought the rotation could be pretty good. Meche, Greinke, Hochevar, Davies, Bannister looked pretty good at that time. HAHA. We know better now.

1. (Trade Acquisition)
2. Hochevar
3. Paulino
4. Duffy
5. Chen (more likely someone else)

How long has it been since there’s a true chance of all five KC starters having a sub-5.00 ERA?

Either way, they seem to be gone due to free agency and the Royals wanting to open up roster spots for the next wave of minor league pitchers. And we shouldn’t forget that the Atlanta connection probably gets Zach Miner a roster spot next year (you know, take Davies spot…)