Trade Deadline: KC seeks to package Kennedy, Davis

Many potential deals are in the works as the non-waiver Trade Deadline — Monday at 4 p.m. ET — approaches. Here is a look at the latest news, reports and rumors.

Royals trying to package Kennedy, Davis The Royals are trying to package Ian Kennedy with Wade Davis in a potential trade, sources told Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan on Thursday.

The Dodgers would be a strong match for the Royals in a deal for Davis, according to Passan. Los Angeles covets the Kansas City closer, even though it already has All-Star Kenley Jansen, and the Dodgers have the budget necessary to take on Kennedy’s contract, a five-year, $70 million deal that runs through 2020.

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman and FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, however, reported that although the Royals have talked to teams about taking on Kennedy’s salary, even the Dodgers would likely be unwilling to do so despite liking Davis. Starting next season, Kennedy is owed $62.5 million through the end of his contract.

With Aroldis Chapman now off the market and several contending teams looking for bullpen help, Davis would be a prize acquisition. The 30-year-old right-hander has become one of the best closers in baseball and was one of the keys to the bullpen that helped the Royals win last year’s World Series.

Davis was an All-Star this season and has 21 saves in 23 opportunities and a 1.60 ERA. Kennedy is 6-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 20 starts.

The Dodgers lead the National League Wild Card standings entering play on Thursday, and they trail the Giants by 2 1/2 games in the NL West. The Royals are in fourth place in the American League Central, 8 1/2 games behind the division-leading Indians and 6 1/2 games out of an AL Wild Card spot.

Lucroy talks intensifying Trade talks are heating up surrounding one of the biggest fish left in the trade market, Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, according to a report from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on Wednesday.

Crasnick reports that the offers the Brewers are fielding are getting more serious, and momentum is “building toward a trade” before Monday’s Deadline.

According to Crasnick’s report, the Rangers, Indians, Astros, Mets and Red Sox have all been mentioned as “in the mix” to land Lucroy — as well as a “mystery team.” MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported the Tigers are also speaking to the Brewers about Lucroy.

The 30-year-old Lucroy has been one of the best catchers in baseball this season, batting .300 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs in 93 games for Milwaukee, and he would likely come at a high cost for a contending team looking to acquire him.

The Rangers and Indians both currently lead their division, the Red Sox lead the American League Wild Card standings, and the Astros, Mets and Tigers are also in the thick of the playoff hunt.

Dodgers interested in Davis The Dodgers don’t jump out as a team that needs to bolster their bullpen, given their MLB-leading 2.97 relief ERA and the presence of All-Star closer Kenley Jansen. But it seems the club is considering strengthening a strength.

Along those lines, Royals closer Wade Davis “interests” the Dodgers, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman wrote on Wednesday for Today’s Knuckleball. The 30-year-old right-hander, who also has been linked to the Nationals in recent days, could pair with Jansen to give Los Angeles a fearsome one-two punch in the late innings.

Despite a subpar outing on Wednesday against the Angels (one inning, two hits, two earned runs, three walks), Davis owns a 1.60 ERA this season, with 21 saves in 23 chances. He would come with a $10 million club option for 2017, which could give the Dodgers insurance in case Jansen, a pending free agent, doesn’t re-sign.

Nats after Joey Bats? In one of the crazier trade scenarios floated this July, Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reported on Twitter that the Nationals have asked the Blue Jays about outfielder Jose Bautista.

It’s not clear how Bautista would fit in Washington, which doesn’t have the benefit of a designated hitter. The Nats have Bryce Harper in right field, the only outfield position Bautista …

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