A main reason is the slow-moving nature of this year's leadup to the trade deadline. A wealth of teams are still deciding whether their playoff potential is real. The Royals are one of six American League teams that are within 5 1/2 games of the final wild-card spot.

The Cubs’ biggest need, with about a week before the July 31 deadline, is starting pitching. Lugo, who held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in six innings, will be highly sought after by contending teams if the Royals make him available. But their trade-deadline direction is unclear.