Royals fans knew the day was coming, they just didn't expect it would come as early as Monday.

The Royals are rebuilding this season, and closer Kelvin Herrera will be a free agent at season's end.

So, it's no surprise that Herrera was traded Monday to the Washington Nationals, but it came more than a month ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline.

Herrera, who was part of the vaunted H-D-H bullpen trio with Wade Davis and Greg Holland, was a key member of the 2015 World Series championship team.

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