"Wilson Betemit remembers the first time his name surfaced in trade talks. That was five years ago in Atlanta, when he was still young enough to be viewed as a cornerstone of the Baby Braves' youth movement.

"That was tough," he said. "I'd never been through a situation like that. Are they going to trade me? Why don't they want me? All of that. But now, I understand that this is business. If it happens, it happens. If not, then good."

Betemit, now 29, looms as the Royals' likeliest trade candidate as the days count down to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. He is now a veteran switch-hitter who can fill multiple roles. He is a looming free agent who is unlikely to qualify for compensation.

And, at this point anyway, the Royals can't find a spot for him in the lineup unless they sit down one of their cornerstone young players — as they did Sunday when rookie third baseman Mike Moustakas didn't start against Twins left-hander Brian Duensing.

"It's not frustrating," Betemit insisted. "I mean, I want to play every day, but those guys have to play. They're the future for the team. So I have to wait. I can't do anything else."

Betemit has already been linked to Milwaukee, which is seeing an alternative to slumping Casey McGehee at third base. Other clubs show interest, too, because Betemit is a low-cost, short-term fix who is owed only about $450,000 for the rest of the season.

The Royals have reason to listen since they could lose Betemit, for no compensation, after the season. And while Betemit started Sunday for only the fifth time in 32 games since Moustakas arrived June 10, club officials insist they feel no urgency to make a deal.

"He could be more valuable to us," manager Ned Yost said, "than he is to somebody else in terms of value for what we could get in return. Just to dump him to dump him, it's not going to happen.

"There are reasons to keep him, too. When we get good, and our pitching staff gets filled out, and we go with the extra position player, it's always nice to have a guy like him on your bench."

For now, Betemit just waits and pays little attention to the rumors, which he says is easier to do than it once was.

"I'll tell you the truth," he said. "Sometimes, we're watching TV, and they talk about you. So you listen. But most of the time, I don't pay too much attention. If they make a move, I'll go. If not, I'll stay.""