Report: Royals in talks with Blue Jays about Liriano

With their sights set on a postseason berth, the Kansas City Royals acquired three pitchers from San Diego earlier this week, and they're reportedly looking to add even more depth to their staff as the trade deadline nears.

The Royals, in the midst of a seven-game winning streak that has brought them within 1 1/2 games of first place in the American League Central, are said to be in talks with the Toronto Blue Jays about veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, though it's not clear how extensive those discussions have been.

Liriano, a one-time All-Star, is in the final season of a three-year, $39-million deal he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the 2015 campaign.

Acquired by the Blue Jays at last year's deadline, Liriano has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2017, putting up a career-worst 5.99 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 17 starts while dealing with shoulder and neck problems. He has failed to record more than six outs in two of his last three starts, too, leaving his July 15 outing in Detroit with neck tightness in the third and getting chased in the second inning at Fenway Park on July 20 after allowing six hits and one walk over 1 2/3 innings.

That said, rotation depth has been a major problem this year for the Royals, who have watched Jakob Junis, Eric Skoglund, and Luke Farrell combine for a 6.55 ERA in 10 spot starts, making Liriano an appealing target. The 33-year-old could also provide Kansas City another lefty out of the bullpen, as he made two relief appearances for the Blue Jays in September last year and another two in the postseason, including a perfect 1 2/3 innings in the American League wild-card game.