"The internal debate by the Royals regarding the merits of sticking with a six-man rotation could become moot over the next few days if the club succeeds in trading one of its starting pitchers.

Veteran lefties Jeff Francis and Bruce Chen along with right-hander Kyle Davies are drawing interest from several clubs in advance of the non-waiver trading deadline, which is 3 p.m. Central time Sunday.

All three will be free agents after the season, but only Chen seems likely to require compensation if he signs elsewhere after being offered arbitration. None are likely to generate much of a return in a trade since all project as No. 5 starters for a contender.

"Nothing has changed with our situation," general manager Dayton Moore said. "The guys we have, I think, are more valuable to us than the potential (return)."

In effect, the Royals must decide whether a scant return now is acceptable when weighed against the likelihood of getting nothing in return after the season. While a move now would clear little payroll, it offers the benefit of clearing roster space for prospects.

There appears little movement involving Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur, although several contenders continue to seek outfielders. The Royals are believed to be seeking a No. 3 starter, or someone capable of filling that role in the near future, in return."