MLB rumors: Royals’ Jason Vargas drawing trade interest

The Royals are expected to deal Jason Vargas at some point before the deadline if they decide to sell, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the 34-year-old lefty is receiving “considerable interest” around the league. Vargas currently has the fifth-best ERA in the American League at 2.39 to go along with his 6-3 record and 3.21 FIP.

The Kansas City left-hander throws a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 80’s, but his location has been the key to the career year he is putting together. Many contending teams will be interested in his services, though it is not anticipated that he will receive a significant package of prospects in return.

Vargas is in the final year of his four-year, $32 million deal with Kansas City, and he should be seen as a pitcher to solidify the back end of a contending team’s rotation. The Royals remain hopeful that they can recover from the 21-29 start that has the club in last place in the AL Central, but Vargas is one of many players that Dayton Moore and company may look to deal as the club continues to fall out of contention.

With players such as Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain hitting free agency at the end of this season, with Kelvin Herrera also receiving trade interest, the Royals could be prepared for a fire sale at this year’s deadline.