"Attention in the baseball world now turns to the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, and the Royals, languishing as they are in last place, would figure to be active in numerous discussions.

Not so fast.

"We'll be aggressive in exploring options," general manager Dayton Moore promised, "but I like this group of players. I like our youth."

This isn't like last year, when Moore felt the need to move a series of aging veterans — Scott Podsednik, Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth and José Guillen — who clearly did not project as part of the club's future.

He now sees a club where the catcher, either Matt Treanor or Brayan Peña, is the only player in the starting lineup on most nights older than 27.

"The one constant since we got here (in June 2006) has been change," Moore said. "Now, we've got a young club — the youngest in the major leagues. It's a group that gets along and wants to win together.

"Maybe we just let them play and see what happens."

That belief points to the other factor that could mute trade discussions: The Royals, 37-54, expect to play better, maybe much better, in the season's closing 11 weeks.

"With our baseball team right now," Moore said, "it's a time for us to be very positive and to continue to work and build. That's what the focus of our organization should be — and will be. We'll remain very positive.""