I disagree with "worst trade ever" analysis.
For the Royals, two members of a starting rotation is worth more than a stud hitting prospect.
It's a sensible step in their organization's plan: draft heavily for a certain strength (hitting), develop some prospects into major league contributors (Moustakas/Hosmer), and once the hitting is good enough to compete then move high value non-contributors for obvious holes (starting pitching).
Having the aforementioned line-up with a starting pitching staff with a negative WAR doesn't amount to much when the games start to really matter. The Royals need an "ace" so they are competitive in game 1 of a playoff series - otherwise what are you building towards?
In 2011, three pitchers were MVP nominees: Verlander, Sabathia, and Shields.
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