While most trade rumors surrounding the Royals are focusing on a few primary players like Wilson Betemit, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Francis and Jeff Francoeur, there’s a possible veteran name in the minor leagues currently heating up that Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman says could head to a contending club: Jeff Suppan.
The well-traveled starter has been with several clubs down the stretch, especially in a National League race with the Milwaukee Brewers or St. Louis Cardinals. At this point, Suppan has been pitching with the Royals AAA club in Omaha and it’s surprising the parent club hasn’t already called his name given their need for someone to eat up some innings at the major league level. As Heyman recently tweeted, Suppan is 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA in his last six games for Omaha and there’s enough need for healthy starters at this point that someone could bite.
Heyman doesn’t offer any more conjecture regarding what Suppan might bring in return, if anything, or whether the Royals would let him walk. But it’s an interesting thought for those teams wishing for a middling veteran presence to provide a bit of long relief or spot start at this stage in the season. For the Royals, if they trade Suppan, they could use it to bring in a toolsy player who might just need a change of scenery.