A main reason is the slow-moving nature of this year's leadup to the trade deadline. A wealth of teams are still deciding whether their playoff potential is real. The Royals are one of six American League teams that are within 5 1/2 games of the final wild-card spot.

The Kansas City Royals have had their eyes on Jarren Duran at the MLB trade deadline, and Seth Lugo or Lucas Erceg could be their ticket.

The Royals are making it clear to clubs that any deal for pitcher Seth Lugo would require controllable outfield help in return.

The Royals haven’t made their deadline position clear. There are different scenarios at play in which they could operate as either a buyer or possibly as a seller. In recent games, the club has shown promising signs at the plate. The Royals have scored seven or more runs in four of their last six games.

The Kansas City Royals made a noteworthy roster shakeup on Friday, designating veteran utility man Cavan Biggio for assignment in order to reinstate right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey from the 60-day injured list. In a corresponding move, pitcher Jonathan Bowlan was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

It feels as though day after day, the odds of Seth Lugo remaining with the Kansas City Royals slowly erode. Lugo has been great for the Royals for the last yea

If the Chicago Cubs make the postseason, adding another quality starter who can slot into a playoff series would make them a serious World Series threat.