Merrifield could be on move

THE Royals, a realistic group, will sell. Andrew Benintendi may be their top piece and Carlos Santana may draw interest. The Royals are talking “more seriously” about the versatile Whit Merrifield in trade discussions than ever before, one rival exec said. He’s a free agent after next year.

The Orioles have a terrific pen, and should do well if they trade star closer Jorge Lopez and others. Trey Mancini also will likely go. The price tag will be higher on non-free agents Austin Hays, Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle and much higher on Cedric Mullins.

➤ The Padres’ offense has surged lately with Jurickson Profar, Jake Cronenworth and Luke Voit heating up, but they will likely seek a hitter — most likely an outfielder. They’ve tried for Joey Gallo in the past, but no team is likely to offer much at the moment. “Untradeable,” one exec calls Gallo.

➤ One longtime baseball person speaks for many when he says he can’t see AL MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge leaving the Yankees. “It’s too perfect a scenario. He ain’t going anywhere.” That person guessed the Cubs, who are expected to finally spend, would be the biggest threat to sign him.

➤ One rival GM said he could see the Marlins shopping Pablo Lopez, as they are deep with young pitchers, have shown a willingness to do so in the past and would be selling high (2.85 ERA). They have a stockpile of young arms, but Eury Perez and Max Meyer are the two rivals believe they won’t consider trading, plus of course Sandy Alcantara.

➤ Award leaders, as heard on The Post podcast “The Show:” AL MVP; Aaron Judge ,J ose Ramirez ; NL MVP: Paul Goldschmidt, Manny Machado; AL Cy: Shane McClanahan, Alek Manoah; NL Cy: Alcantara, Joe Musgrove.

➤ Player of the Week: Shohei Ohtani, Angels SP/ DH. Runner-up: Anthony Rizzo, Yankees 1B.