MLB Rumors: Royals To Listen To Offers On These 3 Players

The Kansas City Royals will be sellers at this summer's trade deadline. Yes, again. And an early look at who the team will be listening to offers on includes all of the team's best hitters. 

According to former major league GM Jim Bowden in The Athletic, the Royals will be dangling three big names in an attempt to get some assets for their rebuild. 

Whit Merrifield

Now, this is a name we've heard before on the trade grapevine, but it seems a bit different this year. The 33-year-old is having a down year for him, batting just .224 with seven stolen bases. Merrifield has a career .287 average however, and is coming off a year when he led the league in SBs with 40. The two-time All-Star certainly still has plenty in the tank, and perhaps a move to a contender would bring him to life.

Andrew Benintendi

On the contrary, the 2nd-year Royal is having a bang-up season, hitting a career-high .321 with a .799 OPS. The 27-year-old becomes a free agent after the season, so it's quite likely the Royals will strike while the iron's hot and get some assets for the left fielder before long.

Bowden suggests the San Diego Padres or the Miami Marlins would be good fits. 

Hunter Dozier

The 30-year-old is signed through 2024. He can play the corners both in the outfield and the infield, making him a versatile option for teams looking to cover a multitude of positions. He's off to a middling start to the season, batting .261 with five home runs and 19 RBIs. He definitely offers some power though. 

Bowden also suggests a couple of relievers could bring back something of value for KC, as Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow can bring the heat at the back-end of the bullpen. 

 Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports