Royals might move Brandon Finnegan at trade deadline

The Kansas City Royals may look to move left-handed pitcher Brandon Finnegan, reports The Kansas City Star's Andy McCullough.

A first-round pick out of TCU in 2014, Finnegan made his major league debut in his first professional season, allowing one run in seven innings in seven relief appearances for the Royals in the regular season, walking one and striking out 10. He also made seven postseason appearances, allowing seven runs in six innings.

Finnegan has spent this season at three different levels, making a total of 18 appearances, five of them starts, at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Triple-A Omaha and the major league club. Nine of those appearances have been with the Royals, spanning 17⅔ innings. He has allowed four runs on eight hits with 10 walks and 14 strikeouts. He has a 5.62 ERA in 24 minor league innings, with 19 walks and 30 strikeouts.

Given the sharp increase in walks, it is likely Finnegan would be viewed as a future asset in trades moreso than as someone to help a contender now, but as a recent first-round pick he will still have significant value.

That Finnegan may be available is a sign that the Royals, who lead the AL Central by 5½ games with a record of 44-29 will be looking to add pieces at the trade deadline.

One place Kansas City may be looking to upgrade is at second base, where Omar Infante is hitting just .233/.239/.314 with just 18 extra-base hits in 67 games. The Royals also may look to upgrade over Alex Rios in right field. Rios has played just 32 games this season, hitting .220/.248/.271 with four extra-base hits in 118 at bats. There is also the option of upgrading their starting rotation, as well.

If Finnegan is moved, it would be a strong sign that the Royals intend to make a run for it in 2015.