Interesting to see it all spin.

[RascalJones]

Two sides of the same story:

Knowing the Indians are seeking more batting punch, the Royals have been trying to tempt them with Matt Stairs, a first baseman with questionable skills but a long-ball threat. They want Tribe pitching prospect Fausto Carmona in exchange. Carmona is projected as a Tribe starter for next season, so GM Mark Shapiro rejected the deal, Stairs being near the end of his career. The Royals then offered to sweeten the pot, but it wasn’t sweet enough

The Dodgers and Indians tried to acquire Royals 1B/OF Matt Stairs. Rather than accept a marginal prospect, Royals GM Allard Baird preferred to keep Stairs as protection for DH Mike Sweeney. Stairs, 37, wants to stay with the Royals past this season. ...

I wonder which is more likely.

[KCBOOMER]

There is really no point in trading Stairs for stiffs. I don't know why Stairs wants to stay in KC and I don't know why KC would want to keep him. Stairs has played reasonably well in his tour of duty here and has been no trouble in the clubhouse, but he is taking at bats away from guys who might be part of the Royals future.

[RascalJones]

I just don't understand why they would be trying to "protect Sweeney". It's not like they're going to be making a late-season charge. I mean no disrespect, I believe you know as well as anyone that the Royals aren't ready for prime-time yet. Stairs isn't helping them, and I can't see how holding on to him helps the Royals at all. I would imagine Stairs' contract is larger than whoever would be replacing him, and like you said, Stairs isn't part of the future, and is taking AB's away from guys who might be part of the Royals future. Wouldn't it be nice to get an early read on some of those guys?

Personally, getting Stairs wouldn't have excited me as an Indians fan.....unless we could dump Broussard on someone......ANYONE