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5 Kansas City Royals Who Must Be Dealt Before the 2015 Trade Deadline

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5 Kansas City Royals Who Should Be Moved Before the Trade Deadline

Jarrod Dyson Royals
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals are leading the American League Central after going to the World Series last year, but they are reportedly looking for upgrades via the trade market.

With a little over a month to go before July's non-waiver trade deadline, here are five Royals that should be on the move.

5. RP Luke Hochevar

Luke Hochevar Royals
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

5. RP Luke Hochevar

Luke Hochevar Royals
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Hochevar (Tommy John surgery) returned to action in early May, and he has a 6.00 ERA (13 strikeouts and four walks) in 14 appearances this season. Kansas City has plenty of bullpen depth, so Hochevar looks like a tradeable asset.

4. P Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton Royals
Otto Greule Jr-Getty Images

4. P Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton Royals
Otto Greule Jr-Getty Images

Blanton has pitched well in two starts for the Royals, allowing two runs over 11 innings, and he has a 1.73 ERA over nine total appearances (26 innings) since being brought up in mid-May. But it's only a matter of time before hitters catch up to him again, and the peak of Blanton's trade value is now.

3. SP Chris Young

Chris Young Royals
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

3. SP Chris Young

Chris Young Royals
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Young has a 2.83 ERA in 15 appearances (nine starts) so far this season, but he has allowed at least four runs in three of his last five starts and good fortune has been on his side in a big way (.203 BABIP allowed, via Fan Graphs.com). The Royals are due to get multiple starting pitchers back from injury in the near future, so Young will become expendable before the deadline.

2. RP Franklin Morales

Franklin Morales Royals
Ed Zurga-Getty Images

2. RP Franklin Morales

Franklin Morales Royals
Ed Zurga-Getty Images

Yes I'm putting another pitcher on this list. But Morales is left-handed, with peripherals (.226 BABIP allowed, 1.9 BB/9) that don't fit with his track record and have helped him post a 2.89 ERA so far this season. Moving Morales would allow the Royals to give Brandon Finnegan more consistent opportunities out of the bullpen, if they want to go that route.

1. OF Jarrod Dyson

Jarrod Dyson Royals
Duane Burleson-Getty Images

1. OF Jarrod Dyson

Jarrod Dyson Royals
Duane Burleson-Getty Images

Dyson is a solid extra outfielder, but he offers little offensively outside of stolen bases and the Royals can recall Paulo Orlando from Triple-A to fill the same role. Based purely on perception of value, Dyson looks like Kansas City's best trade chip.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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