[WhawhaWhat]

Assembling Howie Kendrick Trade Packages

If the Royals aren't selling, as Passan tweeted yesterday, there's a good chance they're looking to add talent to their 25-man roster. Their weaknesses have been glaring all season long, with second base and outfield the problem areas.

They also have a good amount of starting pitching depth, which is what they'd likely dip into to acquire another bat. With Danny Duffy (pictured) in Triple-A after returning from Tommy John surgery, he'd likely be the next in line if the Royals were to need a starter. Felipe Paulino is also on the comeback trail from the same surgery.

They're not short in top pitching prospects either. Yordano Ventura and Kyle Zimmer, two potential front-line starters, could each push for a rotation spot by next season.

The point is they can trade their current "sixth starter" Duffy, who was starting to establish himself as a pretty good major league starter before the elbow injury, and still feel secure with the pitching depth they have.

And they'd be all set at second base through 2015 if they were to acquire Kendrick for Duffy, Johnny Giavotella (.805 OPS, 7 HR, 7 SB), who doesn't appear to be in Kansas City's future plans, and right-hander Kyle Smith, who is having a breakout season in High-A (2.85 ERA, 104.1 IP, 93 H, 29 BB, 96 K).


Royals get: 2B Howie Kendrick

Angels get: 2B Johnny Giavotella, RHP Kyle Smith, LHP Danny Duffy

They have the Orioles, Rockies, Tigers and A's as other teams they put trades together for.