MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Royals That Might Be on the Trading Block

With the July 31 trade deadline quickly approaching, it's time to start thinking about possible trades that each MLB team might make this season.

The Kansas City Royals have been very active the past few seasons under GM Dayton Moore and 2011 should be no different.

Last year, they were able to trade away veterans like Kyle Farnsworth, Rick Ankiel and Scott Posednik for more prospects to add to an already loaded farm system.

Who could be on the trading block this year for KC?

Read on and see.

OF Mitch Maier

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SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 12: Mitch Maier #12 of the Kansas City Royals plays in the spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Surprise Stadium on March 12, 2011 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Maier is the odd man out in an outfield that already includes budding star Alex Gordon and veteran Jeff Francoeur.

With more talented outfielders on the way, including speedy center-field prospect Lorenzo Cain, Maier is as good as gone.

There's simply no place to put him on the team anymore and after eight years on the Royals organization, it appears that Maier is about at the end of his time in Kansas City.

CF Melky Cabrera

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 16: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Kansas City Royals in action during the game against the Cleveland Indians on May 16, 2011 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Melky was trade bait waiting to happen when the Royals signed him to play center-field this offseason.

He was picked up to not only upgrade the position, but also to be used as a stop-gap until the Royals top CF prospect Lorenzo Cain takes over for him sometime this season.

KC should also be able to get good value for him since he has put together a solid season so far, hitting .279 with six homers and 31 RBI in his time with the Royals.

SP Jeff Francis

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 26: Starting pitcher Jeff Francis #26 of the Kansas City Royals delivers to a Baltimore Orioles batter during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 26, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Francis has shown some signs of life in '11 after being just one season removed from major surgery on his shoulder.

Like many other starters currently in the Royals rotation, he is running on borrowed time with the talented pitching prospects that are making their way up the team's farm system.

Trading Francis might be a little tougher than others, considering many teams might not be convinced that he can still be a quality starter after his recent shoulder issues.

2B Chris Getz

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KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 17: Chris Getz #17 of the Kansas City Royals in action during the game against the Seattle Mariners on April 17, 2011 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Chris Getz has been a disappointment for the Royals after coming over in a trade from the White Sox after the '09 season.

Simply put, there is no room for Getz on the field anymore.

Veteran Mike Aviles is a better option at second base because of the offense that he provides and Getz doesn't really play any other position.

SP Bruce Chen

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ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 24: Pitcher Bruce Chen #52 of the Kansas City Royals throws against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on April 24, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Chen, like teammate Jeff Francis, was likely signed for his veteran presence in the clubhouse and to be a stop-gap for the many talented SP prospects that will be invading KC within the next year.

Even though he is currently injured, the former Atlanta Brave should still get some good looks this season, considering he was 4-1 with a 3.59 ERA before he came down with the injury.

Chen has also proved that he can still be a dependable starter at the big league level, something that many teams might desperately looking to add come July 31.