The Royals Rumor mill has had a busy 24 hours. It was announced by Jeff Passan on twitter that the Royals are looking to potentially deal Wade Davis as part of a package deal including starting pitcher Ian Kennedy.
Davis is under team control for the 2017 season with a $10 million club option, while Ian Kennedy is under contract at least through 2017. After the 2017 season, Kennedy has a 3 year player option that would pay him over $16 million per season for the remainder of the deal. This would be a rather staggering commitment for a small market club to give to a pitcher who has under performed so far in his brief tenure in Kansas City. Kennedy has a 4.41 ERA in 114.1 innings so far in the 2016 season.
The Dodgers have been hit with the injury bug, and might be looking for a reliable starter to round out their depleted rotation, though Kennedy would be unable to fill the shoes of Kershaw who was lost to the disabled list. They also would be adding one of the most dominant closers in history in Wade Davis, who before yesterday had accumulated a sub 1.00 ERA in his last 3+ seasons as a reliever for the Royals.
Wade also has the added resume builder of having a tremendous amount of postseason success while with the Royals, and would add that veteran leadership to a Dodgers club trying desperately to get over the hump after taking on record breaking payrolls yet falling short.
In other news, it was also mentioned on 810 Radio this morning by Mike Boddicker that the Royals and first baseman Eric Hosmer may be close to a long term deal. Hosmer is under team control through 2017. The former first round pick is having somewhat of a breakout season in 2016, though he has slowed down since a hot start to the season. He currently sports a .286/.345/.444 batting line and is coming off of his first All-Star appearance.
