KC Royals: Dayton Moore’s Christmas Gifts to Fans

Aug 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher

(35) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Stocking Stuffers

The stockings were hung from the chimney with care

with hopes that St. Dayton soon would be there…

The Royals actually made quite a few deals for spare parts and depth this winter. None of these guys are expected to play huge roles in Kansas City. Yet, last season’s stretch run and playoffs showed how big an impact role players like Jarrod Dyson, Terrance Gore, and Brandon Finnegan could have in a big game.

Dayton Moore dealt former no. 1 pick Aaron Crow for 24-year-old lefty pitcher Brian Flynn from the Marlins. Flynn has had two brief major league stints in 2013 and 2014, and a solid 3.49 ERA in the minors to go with a strikeouts per 9 (K/9) of 7.4.  

Flynn is major-league ready and is likely to hold down a long relief role. He could be a depth starter in case of injury.

The Royals picked up former 2009 1st round draft pick Reymond Fuentes from the San Diego Padres in exchange for high A pitcher Kyle Bartsch.

Fuentes was not going to make the Padres 40 man roster given their upcoming overabundance (at the time of the trade) of outfielders, so the KC Royals were able to acquire the soon-to-be 24-year-old Fuentes that hit .316 and .324 the last two seasons in class AA. However, Fuentes did not hit so well at AAA (.261, with a 713 OPS).

Still Fuentes is a guy with speed and range in the outfield, with some hope for upside.

The Royals also claimed 31-year-old pitcher Yohan Pino on waivers from the Twins, who started 11 games last season. His 5.07 ERA wasn’t too impressive, but his peripherals were much better suggesting a fielding independent pitching (FIP) of 3.94.

He figures to be a bullpen piece, or emergency starter in Kansas City.

Kansas City then landed 22-year-old Jandel Gustave from the Red Sox for cash after Boston chose him in the rule 5 draft. Gustave has not pitched above A ball and will have to be carried on the major league roster for the Royals to retain his rights, but he has a triple digit heater that might be able to play in a mop up role.

 Finally, the Royals obtained some utility infield help with 26-year-old Ryan Jackson from the Dodgers for cash. Jackson missed most of 2014 with surgery on his right wrist and has a career .274/.344/.369 line in the minors.

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