Royals trade rumors: Kansas City looking to package Wade Davis, Ian Kennedy

The Royals are looking to package right-handers Wade Davis and Ian Kennedy in trade talks, according to a report from Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Kansas City is considering selling before Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

Davis, one of the best closers in the game, will draw interest from many clubs (like the Nationals and Dodgers) due to the value currently being placed on back-end relievers. The Yankees received two top prospects (Gleyber Torres and Billy McKinney) from the Cubs as part of a 4-player package for closer Aroldis Chapman earlier in the week, setting the market extremely high for closing options.

A recent report suggested that teams would have to give up more than the Yankees’ haul for Chapman to get Davis, though Passan’s report could give clubs a creative way to get a deal done. Kennedy, who has pitched to a 4.41 ERA in 20 starts in his first season as a Royal, is owed $61.5 million over the next four years as part of the back-loaded deal he signed over the winter.

Passan speculates that the Dodgers would be a good match for the Royals due to their interest in Davis and financial ability to take on Kennedy’s contract. Los Angeles has spoken to the Royals about a Davis deal, according to reports, though it is unclear if they have entertained the possibility of acquiring Kennedy as well.