Wade Davis Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Royals RP

Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, and the team has reportedly found a trade partner.

Continue for updates.

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Cubs, Royals Reportedly Have Deal for Davis

Wednesday, Dec. 7

The Chicago Cubs have an agreement in place for Davis in exchange for outfielder Jorge Soler, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. He added that the teams are examining physicals. 

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the deal would be a one-for-one swap with no other players involved. 

Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reported late Tuesday that the deal is on the table but has not been agreed upon, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals are also interested. 

Previously, Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported that there was a "snag" in a potential deal with the Cubs. Passan noted that the trade "never was done and far from a certain thing at this point."

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Davis Firmly on Block

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Passan reported that "there is an increasing expectation among interested teams that the Royals will trade Davis—and it could happen soon."

On Monday, Passan shared what he was hearing regarding the free-agent market for bullpen arms and how that would impact Davis:

Mark Melancon has since agreed to a deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine and Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

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Dodgers Reportedly Interested in Davis

Monday, Dec. 5

Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reported that the Dodgers "have shown interest" in Davis but that it's "unclear" if the Royals are ready to sell.

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Davis a Solid Alternative to Overpaying for Reliever in Free Agency 

Rosenthal noted that the trade market for Davis should be strong, while Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com cited the new collective bargaining agreement as the likely basis for a trade: "Without the ability to collect first-round picks on departing free agents, Kansas City is more likely to deal Davis now than watch him depart after the 2017 season."

Davis, 31, was excellent in 2016, finishing 2-1 with a 1.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 27 saves in 30 opportunities and 47 strikeouts in 43.1 innings.

The Royals' other bullpen arms—Kelvin Herrera and promising 25-year-old Matt Strahm, who will get a chance to start in spring training, per Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star—made Davis expendable. And the team has areas it could address, including the starting rotation and shortstop.

Davis is likely to be a cheaper alternative to signing one the top trio of closers in free agency: Melancon, Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. 

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