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In the midst of a 1-15 season in 1989, Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson came to the conclusion the only way Dallas would be competitive long-term is to make a blockbuster trade.

They did

They traded Herschel Walker for eight draft picks, six of which would be eventually used. Although there were a lot of other pieces involved in the deal – Dallas traded four of their own picks while Minnesota traded five players – these draft picks were used to fuel a dynasty.

Two of the picks were spent on Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson, two staples of those great teams. Additional picks were used to trade up for Russell Maryland, who was awesome in his early years.

Dallas won three Super Bowls in part because of that trade and Johnson's aggressive draft maneuvering.

While that trade will never be duplicated again, it's time for the Kansas City Royals to develop that mindset.

In an American League Central that features four more talented teams than the Royals, it's time to shake things up.

Trade Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria.

The Royals' two most popular and talented players, the trades would leave many fans disappointed.

However, it could also leave the Royals' cupboard stacked with young talent and within five years, the Royals could be a prime-time contending team.

ESPN recently ranked the Royals farm system. It ranked ninth, the highest in years.

Consider trading Greinke.

Greinke has one of the friendliest contracts in baseball and any team – not just the Yankees, Red Sox or Mets – could afford him. A team like Tampa Bay, Texas or Anaheim, who might be just one piece away from a title, might not hesitate to dish out four or even five solid prospects.

Soria, a top notch closer, could generate two to even three prospects.

While the six to eight prospects all wouldn't turn out, odds are that half of them would. And joining the highly ranked class already, the Royals could have the premier minor league system in baseball by making these two moves.

Or, the Royals could have more pieces to trade for more talent.

Like those Cowboys and the NFC East, the Royals are too far away from their American League Central rivals, let alone the beasts in the American League East.

Considering Greinke had his best season ever last year, the Royals still nearly lost 100 games. Will Greinke repeat a season like he's just had? As good as he was, it's unlikely.

Soria is one of the top three closers in baseball. But what is good about a closer if your team is not in the position to close?

Trading the cornerstones of the franchise would be a bitter pill to swallow. Initially.

But within five years, these two moves could fuel a true rebuilding movement for the Royals – the one we've been promised for eons.

Imagine having three or four different prospects come up each year during a three-year period like those Cowboys did with the NFL Draft?

Instead of just getting excited about the occasional Alex Gordon, Billy Butler or Greinke, the Royals could have three young players to look forward to each season.

Add to the fact the Royals would likely receive a very high draft pick by doing these trades, a powerhouse farm could be built overnight.

The word "could" appears a lot in what I just typed.

However, "could" is a lot better than "won't." And right now, the Royals are much closer to "won't."