The Royals can control the trade deadline by aggressively selling off players

The Kansas City Royals have the worst record in baseball (17-37) with the lowest run-differential (-96). They are closer to the American League Central leader than teams in other divisions. They can control the trade deadline by aggressively selling off players. Andrew Benintendi is the Royals' most likely trade chip. He's a left-handed hitter with a career-high OPS+ (132). He started 71 games in center for the team between 2017 and 2019. He left Sunday's game and missed last night's.

Michael A. Taylor was the only Royal to reach base in Game One against the Blue Jays. He has another year left on his contract after this one, but it's for the relatively low cost of $4.5 million. His .697 OPS is above the league’s average.

The Royals have a lot of players to sell before the trade deadline. They have Arodys Vizcaíno, Amir Garrett, Scott Barlow, Carlos Santana, Ryan O'Hearn, Brad Keller, and Zack Greinke. Whit Merrifield is still a Royal. The team's closer is under club control for another two seasons after this one. The starting pitcher is arbitration-eligible for the final team this offseason. He's making under $5 million this year. His value will be higher before August 2nd. It's not what Greinske signed up for.

31-year-old Arodys Vizcaíno is getting back into his swing. 30-years- old Amir Garrett is making north of $2 million this season. 29- years-olds Scott Barlow and Scott Verlander are the Royals' closer and closer is under club control for another two seasons after this one.

The Royals can control the trade deadline by aggressively selling off players. Don't expect them to get top-of-the-line prospects, but expect a decent haul for guys like Benintendi, Keller, Barlow, Lopez, and/or Greinke.