Royals Rumors: Mike Pelfrey An Option For Royals Rotation
The latest name to swirl in Royals rumors is former Mets and Twins pitcher Mike Pelfrey.
While a lot of the Royals rumors are focused on if Alex Gordon and Ben Zobrist are going to re-sign with the team or not, the Kansas City Royals still need to sign other free agents. The Royals especially need to be looking for pitchers to fill their rotation.
If the season started right now, the KC Royals’ rotation would likely look like this:
- Edinson Volquez
- Yordano Ventura
- Kris Medlen (?)
- Danny Duffy (?)
- Possible minor leaguer?
The fact that there are three question marks there proves that the Royals need to be scouting a free agent to bring in and add to the rotation. Jason Vargas is likely out for the year after needing surgery, Jeremy Guthrie‘s option was declined, and Johnny Cueto will be loooong gone by the time the 2016 season rolls around.
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While Miguel Almonte could be an option for the rotation heading into next season, I highly doubt he’ll be a starter until later on if need be. The Royals traded away potential starters Brandon Finnegan and John Lamb for Cueto, which brings them back to square one.
That’s why Mike Pelfrey to Kansas City makes sense. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors had this to say about the Royals, who he felt would give Pelfrey a two-year deal worth $15 million,
"Pelfrey isn’t the most exciting free agent starter, but the righty did make 30 starts for the Twins this year with the game’s eighth best home run prevention rate. Teams like the Royals, Tigers, and Phillies could entertain him for the back end of the rotation."
Dierkes is certainly right about Pelfrey not being a flashy name, but the Royals don’t typically go after flashy. Pelfrey ended his last season in Minnesota with a 4.26 ERA and 6-11 record in 30 starts. He also saw some good seasons while a member of the New York Mets, his best being in 2010 when he pitched in 34 games with a 15-9 record and a 3.66 ERA.
Pelfrey, who as Dierkes pointed out did a good job at not allowing home runs, would benefit from the spacious Kauffman Stadium. It very well could appeal to him to come to Kansas City, and… You know, they did just win the World Series.
This is very much the type of signing that the Royals are accustomed to making and I think it could really benefit both sides.
Next: Darren O'Day is a Possible Target
Mike Pelfrey may not be a huge name on the trade market, but that doesn’t mean the Royals shouldn’t consider signing him. Pelfrey could be just what the Kansas City Royals’ rotation is missing heading into 2016.