Wade Davis

Not even the defending champs can rest on their laurels.

The Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Jorge Soler to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for closer Wade Davis on Wednesday.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported the deal was done. 

The Kansas City Royals shook up their bullpen Wednesday after trading All-Star closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs for Jorge Soler.  

Like a cotton candy maker, baseball's winter meetings tend to spit out anything that sticks.

Sure, deals are made like the one that saw Chris Sale traded to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. But speculation, more than anything, is the product of the meetings.

It's tough to determine which of the hottest thoughts, rumors and conjecture might end up being true, but we'll give it a try and play or fiction with what has emerged thus far from baseball's annual conclave.

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis is on the trade block:

Davis, 31, was excellent in 2016, finishing 2-1 with a 1.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 27 saves in 30 opportunities and 47 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched. 

More to follow.

It's not hot-stove season for Major League Baseball just yet, but trade rumblings are starting to crop up with November right around the corner.

When it comes to early trade rumors, most of the teams involved are reportedly seeking the same thing: starting pitching.

Without wasting any time, here's a rundown of the latest buzz circulating in MLB's fall rumor mill. 

While the baseball world has focused its attention on the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians in the World Series, the offseason is approaching fast, which means trade talk is already beginning to heat up.

The rest of Major League Baseball's 28 teams yearn to be in the position the Cubs and Indians are currently, and trading is a big reason why Chicago and Cleveland have developed into the two best teams in the sport.

The Kansas City Royals are reportedly willing to part with star closer Wade Davis if the right trade offer comes along during the offseason.

Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis is still recovering from a right forearm strain he suffered in early July.

Continue for updates.

Dominant Kansas City Royals closer Wade Davis is reportedly generating interest ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline as the team is forced to make a tough decision about whether to buy or sell.

Continue for updates.