Defending World Series champions Kansas City Royals are having a good offseason despite losing some key players like Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist in free agency. The Royals have successfully signed Alex Gordon to a new contract, but the team is still looking to bolster their starting rotation with either Yovani Gallardo or Ian Kennedy.

According to Ken Rosenthal of MLB on FOX Sports, Kansas City is talking to both free agent pitchers but are of losing a first round pick. Gallardo and Kennedy were both offered qualifying contracts by their respective teams so any team that will sign them to a deal will lose a first rounder in the upcoming amateur draft.

The current Royals rotation includes Yordano Ventura, Edinson Volquez, Danny Duffy, Kris Medlen and Chris Young. Kansas City also has left-handed veteran Jason Vargas, but he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and his status for the season is uncertain.

They lost last season's acquired ace Johnny Cueto to the San Francisco Giants and will have to find an additional arm to help defend their championship. Gallardo and Kennedy are not considered aces, but both are cheap, helpful options for the tight-budgeted Royals.

The 29-year-old Gallardo is coming off a solid first season with the Texas Rangers, registering a 3.42 ERA and a 13-11 record. He played eight seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers before being traded to Texas and has a career record of 102-75 with a 3.66 ERA, per Baseball Reference.

His statistics indicates that he is a strikeout pitcher, but he also has the ability to induce groundballs at which makes him a more expensive option. MLB Trade Rumors predicts that he will likely seek a four-year deal worth $52 million.

On the other hand, Kennedy has a high flyball rate last season, which would make him cheaper than Gallardo. He is also coming off a sub-par season with the San Diego Padres with a 9-15 record and a 4.28 ERA, per Baseball Reference.

However, he is expected to improve his stats if he signs with the Royals considering Kaufmann Stadium is a large, pitchers ballpark. Kansas City also boasts a great defensive outfield with Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain having won Gold Gloves the past few seasons.

Kennedy is also just a few years removed from coming in fourth in the 2011 Cy Young Award voting after tallying 21 wins and a 2.88 ERA with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is also expected to look for a four-year deal in the $50 million range.