Flip This Player

The trading deadline approacheth, and the Royals no doubt are on the list of (desperate) sellers. So for all those amateur Dayton Moores out there, the questions mostly are about who may be willing trade partners for some of the, ahem, more experienced players. After all, isn't this why these players were signed in the first place? (Is it?)

So let's get an idea what these players may bring in some hypothetical trades, especially given the Royals needs. Let's start with the players the Royals fans would actually like to see unloaded...

SCOTT PODSEDNIK, OF - KC's outfield was already crowded with a number of Quadruple-A types with a measure of speed and not that much power, so this signing was puzzling to say the least (see: almost all of GM DM's trades and signings). Pods, though, might be a useful piece for a team that needs a fourth outfielder, like, say, the Red Sox.
Teams that might be interested: Red Sox, Giants, Rockies, Yankees
Could net: Developing middle relief prospect or backup infielder

JOSE GUILLEN, DH - The $36 million dollar man will scare off a lot of teams with his low on-base percentage, high price-tag, and complete uselessness in the outfield. The Royals would likely have to pay the bulk of his salary and accept quite a bit less if they want to get anything before he departs for free agency. Making it tougher is the fact that Jose has already burned his bridges with a good number of teams in the majors.
Teams that might be interested: The Yankees may bite if they miss having Nick Johnson for his power badly enough. Other than that, it's a stretch for anyone to take him.
Could net: B-grade outfield prospect or if the Royals are brave, another player with years left on a ridiculous contract needing a change of scenery (Vernon Wells? Raul Ibanez? Might be nice to have him back.)

RICK ANKIEL, OF - Need an oft-injured outfielder with a little bit of pop when he's healthy? Ankiel will be that and come fairly cheaply for the rest of this year and next. Plus, a return to the NL might do him some good, and like Pods, may get the Royals some bullpen help for next year.
Teams that might be interested: Braves, Phillies, Giants, Padres (who may possibly be buyers, for once)
Could net: A back of the rotation starter project or a decent Class A project/prospect.

JASON KENDALL, C - I really don't see the Royals offering him (he wouldn't fetch a great deal on the open market anyway) as it appears their plan is to keep the veteran in place and hope that Wil Myers develops in a timely fashion. But if the need for a catcher gets desperate enough, some teams may come a-knockin'...
Teams that may be interested: Angels (word is that Mike Napoli will be given a shot to be the everyday first baseman since Kendry Morales went down, if so, they may want some help at catcher), Rangers (who are little tired of the punchless wonders of Matt Treanor, Taylor Teagardin, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia), Marlins.
Could net: Minor league middle relief help

YUNIESKY BETANCOURT, SS - Since there won't be a lot of shortstops available at the trade deadline, there may be a snowball's chance in heck that KC will be able to unload the performing-better-than-expected sportswriter pinata. (Pronounced pin-ya-ta. I still don't know how to write the 'n' with the squiggle mark above it. Sue me.)
Teams that may be interested: Padres, Twins may show minimal interest, but most teams will probably wait until the player's outright release.
Could net: Low-A project, cash.

I won't get into other lesser players who KC would probably do better to just release (Farnsworth?). But now it gets trickier; it would be better to see a few of these fan faves stick around, but if KC gets an offer too good to refuse, we may be saying bye-bye to...

DAVID DEJESUS, OF - The truth is, he actually has some high value right now. A lot of contending teams would love to know exactly what they're going to get when they trade for a player, and no one better epitomizes that notion better than DDJ: a better-than-average fielder who is hitting for a career-high average who could comfortably hit in the 1, 2, or 3 spot and may provide some real spark in front of a big bopper. With his team-friendly salary, he may be the Royals' most attractive piece.
Teams that may be interested: Yankees (some fans have actually coveted him), Giants, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Mets (goodbye, Frenchy).
Could net: Top-of-the-line young relievers, plural (who for some reason, teams never seem heartbroken to part with; see: Nunez, Leo; Ramirez, Ramon. Maybe we could get either of these two back), top-notch position prospects may not be out of the question, either. If anyone offers a shortstop, well, even Dayton Moore shouldn't screw that one up.

BRIAN BANNISTER, SP - Mr. FIP's days may be numbered as the Royals are counting on some young arms coming up that will bring more consistency than Banny does. We still love him, though.
Teams that may be interested: Just about everybody is pitching-strapped these days (does any team ever say they don't need pitching?), but the Mets - who'd definitely like a do-over in the Ambiorix Burgos deal - and the Dodgers may look the hardest at him. The always pitching-thin Rangers could make a deal if they're still in contention (NO2G! doubts it).
Could net: An almost-major-league-ready position player, and the Royals want middle-infielders the most.

ALBERTO CALLASPO, IF - A good-hit, bad-field player like AC may be attractive to a contender who could use a decent bat off the bench.
Teams that may be interested: Cardinals (who may want to upgrade at 2B), Twins (ditto), Dodgers.
Could net: Major-league experienced bullpen help, or another utility type in exchange.

ALEX GORDON, 3B/OF - Depending on who you ask, the Next George Brett has either been a complete bust or a prime example of the epic fail-ness of the Royals' player development system. I think the truth lies somewhere in between for the time being, but it's not out of the question that he'll become a better player. I don't really believe that KC will try to move Alex Gordon, but if some team starts dangling the right prospects, Dayton may bite.
Teams that may interested: Dodgers, Yankees, Braves (who may think that he can still play 3rd), Rays (especially if it looks like Carl Crawford is leaving).
Could net: Another prospect needing a change of scenery, Double-A pitching.

KILA KA'AIHUE, 1B - It's been pounded into the ground that Kila needs a longer callup than the cups of weak Folgers he's been getting. At this point, it would be doing Kila a great favor to trade him.
Teams that may be interested: Giants, Angels (who are really feeling the power outage with Kendry Morales down), Rangers.
Could net: A decent Triple-A pitcher or (if they're lucky) a catcher prospect.

ZACK GREINKE, SP - Here's where we may have to think the unthinkable. Even though he's 2-8 on the year, it's recognized that Zack is still an elite starter up there with the Lincecums, the Cliff Lees and Sabathias of the world. While being owed a mere (!) $30 million, other teams would salivate at the possibility of adding him to their rotation and would give the moon and the stars and even Pluto for him. Personal note - if Greinke is traded, I will become an automatic fan of the team who gets him.
Teams that may be interested: Um, everybody?
Could net: Elite prospects (yes, plural) at any position, young position player with high upside and team-friendly salary.