Could the Royals trade for Rays starters Shane McClanahan or Ryan Pepiot?

The Kansas City Royals need left-handed starting pitching help, and a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays could be a good fit.

The X account SleeperRoyals suggested that Kansas City could trade for Shane McClanahan or Ryan Pepiot from the Rays.

McClanahan, a former highly rated prospect, had a 3.36 ERA in 2026, finishing with 106 strikeouts and a 1.12 WHIP. He was one of the league's better starters in May, posting a 1.41 ERA in six starts and allowing just five earned runs in 32 innings. He pitched six or more innings only four times in 2026.

Since his first full season in 2021, McClanahan has honestly been one of the more consistent pitchers in the league, making at least 20 starts every season he's been healthy and never posting an ERA over 3.43.

He had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and a left triceps nerve injury that led to surgery in 2025, missing both seasons. The 2026 season was huge for McClanahan, as he returned to form despite a long absence from baseball.

Pepiot did not play in 2026 after right hip inflammation required surgery, which kept him out for the entire season. He suffered the injury at the end of spring training.

Before that, Pepiot bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen in 2022 and 2023 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He became a full-time starter for the Rays after he was traded to Tampa Bay in the Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot deal in December 2023.

With the Rays, he posted a 3.75 ERA over two seasons, making 57 starts in 2024 and 2025 with a 19-20 record. The right-hander struck out 167 batters in 167 2/3 innings.

Some prospects who could go to the Rays in exchange for either pitcher include catcher Blake Mitchell, right-hander Lucas Braun, outfielder Asbel Gonzalez and possibly outfielder Carson Roccaforte, left-hander Justin Lamkin or catcher Ramon Ramirez.

Kansas City has two aging starters in Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. Wacha has a club option for the 2028 season before he becomes a free agent in 2029. Lugo has a conditional club option for 2028 before he also becomes a free agent in 2029. Kansas City had only three pitchers with 30 or more starts last season, with left-hander Noah Cameron joining Wacha and Lugo.

Getting either McClanahan or Pepiot would be a big win for the Royals, adding a rather young, proven starter to an aging, inconsistent rotation.