[duncan_idaho]

All right... let's talk about moves that are still out there, potentially. Trading for Santana, combined with Moore's very public statements, makes me think there MIGHT be hope something else of note is coming down the pipe.

In order of preference:

1) Sign Anibal Sanchez. He's the second-best guy on this market, so it won't come cheap in years or total dollars. But this is the type of guy you can afford to give 4-5 years to if you're the Royals. He's young, still in his prime, and he's got top-tier No. 2 stuff. The type of No. 2 who can do a nice impersonation of an ace in key spots. Plus, signing him would weaken the Tigers, who are pretty hot on re-signing him now.

2) Kick the tires on James Shields, David Price, and Josh Johnson. If you can get one of these guys without giving up a core hitter (Myers, Hosmer, Moustakas, Gordon, Butler), I would take a long, hard look.

Shields and Price would be the primary targets because they're controlled for multiple years (Shields for two at a total of $21 million, Price at three for arbitration dollars), but would also be the most costly. Price's cost probably starts with Eric Hosmer. Shields' price would likely be lower.

Johnson honestly would probably be the easiest to acquire. Something like Yordano Ventura/Jorge Bonifacio/Jason Adam might be enough. That's two top 100 guys and a borderline top 100 guy, but Johnson is a stud when healthy AND is from the midwest/wants to play in the midwest long-term. Who knows. If you bring him in and he's successful, you might have a shot at re-signing him (and he's only 28).

3) Explore Danny Haren. Yes, he has a bad back. Yes, his velocity was down this year as a result. But he's likely to be available for $12 million bucks and some minor prospects. It won't be someone as inconsequential in the Royals' grand scheme of things as Brandon Sisk, but it also won't require a core guy.

4) Re-sign Jeremy Guthrie to a two-year deal. It's not flashy, but it would be a nice piece in combination with acquiring one more guy who's better than he is.

5) Be open to other trades. There's probably a pitcher out there who's available for the right price who's name hasn't emerged yet. See Gio Gonzalez and Mat Latos a year ago.

6) Look for a guy who's looking to build value for a big deal on a one-year contract, or a solid veteran who can provide league average pitching. This could be someone coming off of an injury like Brandon McCarthy or Shaun Marcum, or someone like Kevin Millwood who isn't going to set the world on fire but will give you 30 starts, a bunch of innings, and a league-average ERA.
...

And stay the hell away from Kyle Lohse. He's going to get big money and a lot of years, and he isn't going to be worth the risk he carries (Cardinals' post-hype success story leaving the Cardinals, moving to the tougher league, etc). Lohse is going to get the type of contract that can cripple a small-market team.