The Royals can help their roster by making this trade.
The Kansas City Royals are set to compete in the American League Central division. With that being said, the roster has room for improvement.
Offensively, the Royals are in a quality position. Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia will lead a lineup with serious potential. The starting rotation, however, has some questions.
Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic and Noah Cameron are currently expected to be in the rotation. Ragans is the ace, but he was limited due to injury last year. Wacha and Lugo are fine veterans, but Lugo struggled last season. Bubic is fairly reliable, but Cameron is inexperienced.
Adding another starting pitcher should be a priority for the Royals if they want to truly compete in the American League. As currently constructed, Kansas City can probably make a run for the AL Central division. In order to make a deep postseason run and play for a World Series, though, trading for a reliable starter will be crucial.
Sure, they could turn to prospects in order to make a deal. However, the Royals could also trade second baseman Jonathan India.
Jonathan India Trade for a Starting Pitcher?
India, 29, is going to be a free agent after the season. He hit just .233 across 136 games a season ago, but he is likely still a player teams in need of infield depth would be interested in.
For the Royals, moving him for a starting pitcher would make sense. Michael Massey -- who has performed well during spring training -- could help to replace him at second base. Nick Loftin may also be able to help.
Adding a prospect in the deal along with India would likely lead to a strong trade return. The Royals could end up receiving a valuable middle-of-the-rotation arm. In fact, Kansas City may even be able to get a No. 2 caliber starter if an enticing enough prospect is included in the trade.
Addressing the rotation seems to be the final piece to the puzzle for Kansas City. The bullpen should be fine while the lineup has potential. Teams understand how valuable starting pitching is throughout a regular season and postseason, so Kansas City needs to consider making this trade.
Even if the Royals do not want to trade India, looking to acquire a starter should be a priority. Since India will be a free agent after the season, though, moving on from him would be a reasonable option.