The Royals are obvious deadline sellers, but their efforts over the next few days will focus primarily on trading players on expiring contracts, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. He’s only hitting .229, but a big 11.8% walk rate has contributed to a .324 on-base percentage and Thomas is also slugging .394. [Related: Kansas City Royals Trade Deadline Outlook]Lefty Kris Bubic would surely be Kansas City’s top rental asset — if he were healthy. 2 or 3 starter when healthy, as evidenced by a 3.04 ERA, 25.5% strikeout rate, 8.3% walk rate and 48% ground-ball rate dating back to 2023. His velocity, strikeout rate and walk rate are all at career-worst levels.